So async functions are special functions that have the capability to be _paused_ until another asynchronous operation finishes (i.e. the thing we're `await`ing

So async functions are special functions that have the capability to be _paused_ until another asynchronous operation finishes (i.e. the thing we're `await`ing upon). And in a single-threaded environment, we _want_ this capability so that the loop is able to continue working despite the fact that the thing we're `await`ing for hasn't complete yet.