No longer considered modern; we met thru the tried and true, ancient art, of online dating. Benjamin wooed Marnie with an adorable puppy photo, credit to Clover. After a brief exchange of the written word, which spanned the course of a month, Marnie is a slow responder, they finally rendezvoused for cocktails at a little Italian joint in Hopkinton, Ma. Living up to Marnie's test, Benjamin drove the distance to meet this yoga bendy mermaid in the flesh. She strode in with a blue flowy dress, high heels, and jewelry. Someone was looking to make an impression. Benjamin had on flip flops and shorts. Hey! it was a scorcher that day! One drink lead to two. Lead to 3. Lead to the check. That they split! Was this going to be the end of their love story? Obviously not.
We were on the trip of a lifetime. Or in Marnie's case, the trip of the year. It was five days in. Marnie had just gotten over the fact that her dogs were surviving without her. Benjamin had just gotten over the fact that his business was failing without him. They were living in the moment. Hiking the lush protected Portugese forests of the Azores. Past gorgeous waterfalls. Under the torrent of Atlantic Island rainstorms. Wet and sunkissed. The lovebirds were overtaken by mother natures intense beauty. Marnie was gazing, stunned by it all. Benjamin called aloud "Baby...". She turned. On bended knee he looked up with tears in his eyes. He asked her to marry him.