We can't wait to see you.

Like many modern romances, Emily and Sam met online. After swiping right and a few sub-par jokes they met for their first date in August of 2014 at a cozy pizza restaurant called Hersh's in Baltimore, MD. They laughed into the night, bonded over their many commonalities, and met again to go to the State Fair and watch the Blue Angels. While it was clear they had a great connection, the timing wasn't quite right, and after a few dates they went their separate ways (although Sam doesn't recall having a say in the matter). Each went on to live their best lives, flourishing amongst friends that became family in the Greatest City In America. Occasionally Emily would see Sam running past her house, which seemed peculiar, but they kept up with each other's lives in true millennial style (Instagram). Emily continued her work in cancer research and pursued a Master's degree. Sam balanced his work in composites engineering with a promising social kickball career. While they both kept busy, they never truly forgot about one another. Two years later, out of the blue (and with a little liquid courage), Sam decided to try his luck again with Emily. To his delight, she agreed to meet at a local arts fair called Artscape. They ended up spending the entire weekend together, and have seldom been apart since.

During her time in Baltimore, Emily spent many hours at the basement tavern underneath the Admiral Inn in Fells Point. After a long week of work, she would walk home and stop at this hidden gem in her neighborhood. In pure Emily fashion she would go by herself (with her book bag still on) and very quickly befriended the bartender there, Steve. This place became a haven, a central point for all her social activities in the city she spent so long in. A place where she could relax with friends, talk about classic rock with Mike Rowe, get the latest gossip from Steve, and look at the planets outside with the one and only Herman Heyn. After moving to Philadelphia to pursue medicine, Emily never replaced this special refuge. So for one night at least, Sam was determined to bring her back to days of spending time with loved ones in that space. He could think of no better setting to ask her to marry him: her favorite place, in their favorite city, with their favorite people. Sam and Emily were engaged alone in the cozy atmosphere of the tavern, and were shortly after joined by Steve with champagne and their closest family and friends from near and far. It was the perfect night.