Siobhan and husband Zack shared their love story with us ...

Zack: The date Sept. 11 has so many negative connotations to it, but to us it signifies the beginning of a great friendship and the road to everlasting love. A chance meeting in July awoke the passion in two lonely hearts, but the hot summer days and nights quickly turned into a breezy fall with hints of an Indian summer. We've spent hours since smiling at the memory of our first encounter. But it wasn't until after Sept. 11 that we began to pursue each other. Every day of September 2001 seemed to have melted into the next. However, in the midst of the depression and disbelief, a good-intentioned voice-mail message sparked the beginning of a wonderful relationship. Back in July, Siobhan and I had shared enough information about one another for me to have remembered that she lived and worked in lower Manhattan and, like so many others at the time, I was anxious to learn the fate of my friends. I still enjoyed the memory of this woman I'd met in July and now I truly wanted to see if she was OK.

Siobhan: I retrieved Zack's message while I was waiting on the West Side Highway for word on when I might be able to get into my apartment in Battery Park City. Imagine the surprise and happiness I felt when listening to the uplifting and heartfelt message from him, wanting nothing more than to find out if I was OK. Did I remember who he was? But of course! I had thought of him often. I decided to return the call and take a chance. But it would have to wait. They were calling my apartment building for access.

Back at Club Quarters-Wall Street, where I stayed until November, I returned the call. After trading messages we eventually connected late at night. It was fun to talk about something other than the hellish atmosphere around us. Was I hungry? Would I like to go out? Did I need help? Could he lend a hand? He had a car, was off on Sunday, and wanted to help.

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