β€œAll it took was one heated text exchange for the lid to completely blow.”

The author (right) and Kristi clubbing in Chicago in 2008.

The author (left) and Kristi wine tasting in Sacramento in 2014.

The author (right) and Kristi touring Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California, in 2024.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost in April 2026.