Erik and Sara met online, and had their first date at the Toasted Owl in Northampton, MA. As is typical, Erik was there 45 minutes early, and Sara arrived fashionably 15 minutes late. After a nice drink at the bar, Erik asked Sara if she would like to continue the date at the restaurant next door. Unbeknownst to Erik, Sara had already had multiple helpings of chili prior to the date. She declined and they said their goodbyes - the night ending in a very awkward hug (neither Erik nor Sara are big huggers). Later that night, Sara texted Erik saying she had a great time. Taking that a great sign, Erik asked if she would like to go out on a second date. The rest is history...

One of their first dates was going to a movie in West Springfield, but with a slight twist to the night. Erik and Sara met at a Savers (local thrift store) and came to an agreement that they could each pick the other's outfit for the movie. Erik ended up wearing a circa 1970 yellow plaid vest (which he still has), while she wore a florescent purple blouse with massive shoulder pads. They were the oddest looking couple in the movies, but never stopped laughing. Five years later, they still haven't stopped laughing together.

Erik proposed to Sara during a walk around the Westville Dam in Sturbridge, MA the night before they were scheduled to travel to Chicago to run the marathon. The Westville Dam is one of their favorite walking spots in Sturbridge. Erik knew that Sara thought he was going to ask her during their vacation; knowing that, and coupled with an intense fear of losing the ring on the plane ride, Erik asked her mid-walk around the dam - to her complete surprise! They were then able to celebrate the engagement the following week, culminating in a great run at the 2017 Chicago Marathon.