Dustin and I met "the old fashioned way," by happenstance in a bar. Our first real moment of connection was when we discovered our similar taste in music: we couldn't believe we both happened to be big fans of the alternative indie band Bear Hands. Little did we know that Bear Hands would later be the first band we saw live together! I (Katie) remember every detail from the night we met, from the Edmund Fitzgerald Porter beer Dustin was drinking to the shirts we both wore (Dustin's peach-colored t-shirt said Florida Keys on it--an early glimpse of his irresistible fashion sense--and Katie's grey top donned the Rolling Stones logo). Dustin might not have all of these details memorized, but one thing sticks clearly in his mind: he left that night without getting my phone number! After a week or two of futile searches for my non-existent social media accounts, he finally got my number from a mutual friend, and the rest is history! We began our relationship during a time of drastic transition for both of us. I was about to graduate from SUNY Geneseo, and Dustin was about to transition out of the Department of Corrections and pursue a career in physical therapy. Just as these changes began to feel normal for us--I got a teaching job and Dustin started his PTA program--the pandemic hit and with it came a whole new set of adjustments to be made. It was during COVID lockdown that Dustin and I first moved in together, and with lots of time on our hands, we grew closer as we found ways to keep busy including planting a huge vegetable garden, brewing our own mead (tasted gross, but we had fun making it!), and Dustin teaching me how to ride a dirt bike. Dustin proposed on Christmas Eve, 2022, and I said YES after I managed to stop ecstatically laugh-crying. We are so blessed to have one another, and to have you to celebrate with as we begin this next chapter of our lives together.