In November of 2019, we matched on The League, an online dating app. Our first date was at a wine bar in Hell's Kitchen—equidistant from our apartments on the Upper West Side and Lower East Side. Carrie fondly recalls that Matt showed up without a coat. "It was, like, a five-minute walk from the subway, and it's not like we'd be drinking outside in November!" Matt now explains. With Thanksgiving coming up, and each leaving NYC to spend time with their families, Carrie figured she'd hear from Matt again after the holiday—but Matt texted Carrie before she got home. And so it began.

Back when Matt lived in San Francisco, Napa started as a place that he would travel to during summer weekends to escape the cold. Our first attempt to go there together was foiled by the pandemic, so Matt ordered wine from several vineyards for a Napa-inspired staycation. Ever since, it has become a special place we visit about twice a year. Matt did some research and found a secluded park with a beautiful view overlooking the Valley. We called our families after Carrie said "yes" and went to a harvest party to celebrate that evening.