After living less than two miles from each other for nearly a decade, Ben and Sarah finally met in May 2023 at a neighborhood stalwart, The Green Zone. More accurately, this meeting occurred on the sidewalk outside of The Green Zone, as Ben had selected the first date location based on atmosphere and drink selection instead of easy access for a young lady on crutches nursing a broken and newly repaired ankle. The pair quickly moved past this minor hiccup, decamping to the lounge at The Line Hotel. Drinks turned into dinner at another local stalwart on 14th Street, and it was there that the two parted ways, late that warm Saturday evening, not quite knowing where the time had gone. A second date soon followed, this time at Ben’s place in Adams Morgan. This date again required Sarah to negotiate multiple flights of stairs on crutches. But, once safely ensconced in Ben’s dwelling (and not going anywhere in a hurry), the two bonded over their fascination with the market position of certain local restaurants, appreciation for strong cocktails, and common midwestern heritage. The outings and adventures came in quick succession thereafter. Ben tried (and failed) to show Sarah and her mother the Diplomatic Reception rooms at the State Department. Sarah took Ben on a walking tour of the Congressional Cemetery—twice! Ben invited Sarah to accompany him on a work trip to London: Sarah demurred. Sarah took Ben out for his favorite type of pizza! The duo experienced the unforgettable magic of the Barbenheimer era, opting to see the deeply textual “Barbie.” Ben invited Sarah to accompany him on a work trip to Sacramento: Sarah demurred. Confusion about Ben’s regional origin was only compounded when the two attended an outdoor Jason Isbell performance at Wolf Trap. Ben then managed to trick Sarah into attending a comedy show in Baltimore. Fortunately, due to Sarah’s exceptional travel planning skills, the overnight trip highlighted the very best of Charm City, and the two realized they traveled well together. In late August, Ben once again invited Sarah to accompany him on a work trip: this time to Martha’s Vineyard. After researching the luxury hotel and local boutiques, Sarah did not demur! The modest charm of the seldom-visited island, coupled with a few meals at local greasy spoons, incubated the couple’s nascent love, and from that point forward they were happy passengers aboard the love boat. After a quick and straightforward ring selection process, Ben proposed to Sarah on August 2nd, 2024, at La Tejana in Mount Pleasant. Once again, Sarah did not demur! The couple now live in the stair-rich Adams Morgan abode that was the site of their second date, and co-parent a rescue dog who answers to “Stella.”