It was a crispy January day in NYC. Sun was shining and the birds were chirping! Whether it was college basketball or NFL playoffs... the city was alive and well! But let me go back really quickly before I get to the day itself. Alex and I have a mutual friend in Colleen Webster (then Schmidt). Alex and Col were friends at Duke grad school. Col and I were friends from working at Anheuser Busch together. So, Alex and I both had many good times with our friends Col and her now husband Conor, but separately! On this fateful day the friend groups collided at Fitzgeralds Pub, a lovely establishment on the east side of NYC. My friend group was there already hunkered down watching the Ravens and Bills playoff games and since it was Sunday Funday we naturally needed more people there with us cheering on our teams. Col's group was happy to oblige and popped in. Little did I know who all was coming with her in that group. Also important to keep in mind is that Col and Con are THE matchmakers which we didn't know at the time, but now have about 4 couples married or engaged haha! So... They walk in and if I remember correctly, I got up from the table and B-lined it to the beautiful girl Col walked in with and introduced myself. Hi I'm Nick, Hi I'm Alex! Insert small talk, some witty laughy remarks from myself and connecting the dots on how we all know each other. Which immediately led to me offering Alex a beer at the bar. "How about a seltzer," she said. Me in my mind "Oh great," me in real life "Absolutely I love seltzers!" The convo is cruising along and we are getting to know each other. Alex and I are trading work stories, where are you from stories and just normal topical stuff. We talked for about an hour... I know it went quick. All throughout the conversation I am blown away. OMG this girl is gorgeous, she's smart, she's a professional, she has an amazing background, she has drive, she has her feet on the ground, she's cool, she's funny and she's even laughing at my jokes... she get's it! I've done it. I've struck gold and dear lord I hope she likes me! Alex thought we were just networking the entire time as she was on the hunt for new jobs and knew some people at AB... Some say we will never know if we were or weren't! ;) The night continues and we have a great time getting to know each other and also just mingling with our friends. Lots of laughs and Sunday Funday was a success. But I have a plan. To not seem overbearing and "Play it cool" I don't ask for Alex's number since I knew we had a mutual friend. I knew I could give Col a call and she would help me out. I actually took another road though again, playing it cool. I dropped Alex a line on Instagram on one of her posts, something cheeky of course and just going for a little laugh. Of course, she remembers me right? Nope... Alex has to call Col and be like who is this!? Col reminds her that's my friend the guy you were talking to all night at Fitz's! Alex replies with the oh whoops! I don't figure this out until later so don't worry I wasn't deterred in the least! Alex and I see each other a couple times socially after this. Couple dinners and then her concert. Yes concert, Alex is a classically trained singer who sings for her company rock band in NYC. Went to her show and this is where if I wasn't sold before... I sure was now! BOOM. Covid hits. March 15th, I flee the city back to STL and she heads back to Jersey to get out of the madness. We think the world's ending but even with all that space we stay in touch every day. I even got to attend her virtual birthday haha! Magic must have been in the air since we both could hold each other's attention that long without seeing each other. July 15th, I come back. Immediately ask her out on a REAL date. Finally! And it was about damn time since I knew I loved her the minute she walked into Fitzgerald's that day :) See below for first date pic, captured by the Babbs