We met at a bar (shocking) in Bermuda while watching the World Series. I was sipping Prosecco, of course, and chatting with a client, while Brian was at the other end of the bar drinking a dark n' stormy, desperately trying to think of a pick up line. He tells a different version of this story but we all know which one is true. I'm sure you will hear his lies at the wedding and you can decide for yourself! He decided to go the mysterious route - he was with "State Department" and was in country for official/unoffical business and couldn't say much more. I must have been intrigued because I allowed him to stay and hang out. We ended up having a great time and shut down the bar. After our respective work trips, he returned to The Bahamas, where he was stationed, and I went back to Chicago. We texted daily and chatted, on the phone (which was a foreign concept to me), every Sunday. Four months later, I was flying to The Bahamas to hide from Covid. The numbers in Chicago were exploding and the Islands had no reported cases. How smart am I? Runaway to a tropical paradise for two weeks while Chicago flattened the curve? Sign me up!! If nothing else, this would be fun Covid story. Well, the joke was on me, because not only did Covid find me, it completely shut down the island a mere two days after my arrival. No flights in or out. Beaches were closed. Grocery stores were closed. Liquor stores were closed. We were only allowed outside our immediate home for one hour per day or risk being fined or imprisoned. Believe me, you do not want to see the inside of Fox Hill prison!! There I was with a small carry on bag filled with summer dresses, bathing suits, cover-ups, and cute shoes. Not exactly the attire you want during lockdown! I was stuck inside an apartment for 5 months, with none of my things and none of my people....and no alcohol. This was either going to be a lasting relationship or an absolute nightmare. Thankfully, it was the former. With a little assistance from covert ops, a King Air, family Zoom dates, and amazing Sandyport neighbors, we survived the lockdown and the rest is history!! Big shout out to the Coast Guard and DEA for making all of this possible. (And to Justin for helping me avoid deportation and blocked re-entry).