We technically met in October 2020 at The Union Bar in Huntington, WV—but not in the most traditional way. I (Gaby) was working as a barback, and Donnie… well, Donnie was just being Donnie—out with friends, having a good time. As closing time rolled around, I was making my usual rounds, picking up glasses from around the bar. He noticed and started stacking them to help me out (such a gentleman). I thought he was cute, so I gave flirting my best shot and said, “If you want my job, I’ll give you my cutoffs, crop top, and tips. I just want to go home and go to bed.” He immediately apologized, thinking he’d upset me by doing my job… like I said, poor attempt at flirting. The next day, Donnie posted an Instagram story of his brunch titled “Recovery meal.” I saw my chance for another shot at witty banter and replied: “If you had taken my offer last night, you probably wouldn’t need a recovery meal… just saying.” He laughed... then left me on read for a month and a half. (Tough crowd.) Fast forward to November. I had just posted a picture from a wedding I attended with my brother when suddenly, out of nowhere, I got a DM from Donnie. It was his number, along with: “You should text me.” We messaged back and forth for a few weeks before he finally sent the now-famous text: “Hypothetically, if I asked if you were free tonight, what would you say?” And just like that, what started as some badly-timed flirting and an even worse read delay turned into the best “hypothetically, I'd say yes” of my life.