On Sunday, February 27, 2022, Aaron and Sarah met at a local bowling alley. They greeted each other outside and Sarah wondered if this silent giant of a man hiding beneath a black hoodie and oversized jeans was a creeper or just nervously introverted. A few frames of bowling later, and she had decided he was not a creeper. A couple games later, Sarah had decided he also was a gracious loser and he was really fun to talk to. An impromptu dinner afterwards was filled with such engaging conversation and charm that time ceased to exist. It was no time at all and yet they found the restaurant closing and they still had more to say. It’s been over three years, and Sarah still is never bored by the ideas and stories Aaron shares. She could sit in contented silence one night, feeling she knows all there is to know and expect of her gentle, generous man, and the next night she is snorting in laughter surprised by the curiosity and ideas Aaron has conjured.

I was about to give up on dating when Christine - my best friend - urged me to keep trying. I thought Sarah’s profile on OK Cupid was funny. I can’t remember when I first sent her a message, but I got a response on my birthday. I was surprised she replied back. It was my favorite birthday gift that year. We talked and I thought she might ghost me so I just wanted to keep her talking. We spoke for two weeks and then she said she wanted to meet and I thought that was great. I’m horrible at bowling, but I suggested it for our first date, knowing she liked it. I tried to not come off as a creep but that failed miserably. Yet she still stuck around, asking me questions getting me to talk. I loved the questions and I can’t wait to hear the future ones until the end of time. I’m bad at this. I don’t know. It’s romantic in my head but it gets lost when it comes out.

On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Sarah and Aaron stood on the Church Hill Overlook and legally bound themselves to each other in marriage. They refer to this as their government marriage. Their legal contract enabling each other to benefit from the protections and support that comes from an official marriage license, such as health insurance for Aaron as he pursued an internship to support his career change. Sarah and Aaron actually intended to keep this moment a secret so as not to risk devaluing the importance and monumental weight of swearing our personal vows in front of all of our friends and family. The upcoming symbolic ceremony witnessed by all of those who we love and who love us is more important and meaningful than any government, legal procedure. But then they both always were terrible at secrets, particular a happy one. Regardless, this October is the one that matters most. We will write our unique vows and declare them in front of you. We will trade our chosen, forever rings (rather than silicone ones) and we will party and celebrate this joyous recognition of choosing to be with each other and intertwining our futures together.