There was love within them, for certain. It peeked out from time to time, hinting at its glow from around the corner of little tasks; a unicorn's giggle reading a heart monitor, an otter's snicker in a conference room. For a while, it only crept out for moments at a time, before returning to the warmth within their hearts and minds. They were happy, yes, surrounded by family and successful in their own ways. She had made the long drive north, from the land of razorbacks and barbecue, from ninety-five percent humidity and the laziest of rivers. It was a proud journey, as she sat, focused atop a sizable Uhaul (not one of those rinky dink one-bedroom ones, but the ones suitable for a two-bedroom apartment and a lifetime of collecting shoes and concert tees). Her soundtrack: Foo Fighters. Her nutrition: Tootsie Pops and Sonic. Her travel companions: her loving brother and a stately bulldog, cruising smoothly in her caravan. In just a few days, she'd be home with family in New Hampshire. In just a few years, she'd be contemplating a family of her own. He was the professional sort, accomplished at domestic airfare and familiar with offices and conference venues around the contiguous states. He'd always lived close to home, yet learning what he could from each vacation and business trip a week at a time. Life on bicycles, days hitting volleyballs, and afternoons watching sunsets atop a small local ski hill with a mumbly, grumbly sort of dog with whom he'd somehow found himself splitting steaks and a mortgage. As the story goes, they'd met for drinks and artisinal pizza (the kind where the meat is more cultured than the cheese). No one knows for sure what happened that night, but she was intrigued and he was determined, and - after four hours of delightful conversation and the most sincere acquaintance any two could share - the unicorn and the otter spent each following day deeply in love.

These individuals met for dinner and drinks in September 2017. Over the last 2 years, they have traveled to Austin, Las Vegas, and Punta Cana. They enjoy spending time together , whether it's working around the house or taking a random day trip. They are excited to start this next chapter and look forward to celebrating with family and close friends.