Brian first saw Bethany in Blackbird Cafe during the intermission of his performance in Les Miserable. She was reading The Picture of Dorian Gray. He thought she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. Bethany was working full time at Quinlan & Fabish Music Company and they saw each other in passing because he taught private lessons there a few days a week. Brian got tired of the men's department at Kohls sucking his soul, so he pursued a job in the music industry. He joined the Q&F customer service team full time and Bethany trained him in shipping and receiving. A friendship was struck between the two of them and a thus began a circle dance that would last a few months. Brian invited Bethany to Blackbird but the event was awkwardly proclaimed a "date that wasn't a date." Swing and a miss. Brian knew that Bethany loved seeing operas at the Lyric in Chicago so he bought tickets to Der Rosenkavalier. After a long show, a very cold walk, and a long drive home, something should have happened, but alas, nothing. Snarky Puppy was going to be in Chicago and Bethany knew Brian was a little obsessed with them, so she invited him. They had a great time and Bethany made what she thought was a very obvious move, but Brian totally misunderstood. Another strike. A mutual friend was performing The Who's Tommy, the musical, and Bethany and Brian thought they would go together to support her. The musical was a very strange and cringy experience, but after Brian and Bethany got a few drinks at Craft House following the show, Brian kissed Bethany in the parking lot under a sky full of stars. The rest is history! Slow burns can turn into the most brilliant of fireworks.