In April, we told you about a Russian transgender man who fled with his partner to Minnesota after learning it was trans refuge state. It was a harrowing journey that captured the hearts of many Minnesotans.

While Erik Beda made it to Minnesota in March, he was separated from his partner Ivan at the border. Minnesotans stepped in to bring the couple back together. And Minnesota Now Senior Producer Aleesa Kuznetsov was the only journalist invited as Erik and Ivan reunited.