When we both walked into our friend Mike Russell’s comedy show in the East Village one night in October of 2019, we couldn’t imagine walking out with our forever person. Both of us remember having to convince our single selves to go to this comedy show after being tired and unmotivated to leave the house, but somehow we knew it would be worth it. When we arrived it was a friendly group of mutual comedy friends that greeted both of us separately before introducing us and sitting down for the show. After the comedy show we made our way to the bar with each other to have a drink and continue friendly conversation. A Talking Heads song came on, and if you know Greg you know that this is one of his favorite bands, but Leisel didn’t know of this band back in 2019 so she needed Greg to educate her. An hour or so went by and she was truly enamored by his knowledge and passion behind explaining a multitude of topics while feeling so charmed and comfortable by his presence. The night came to an end and Greg offered to walk her home, Leisel agreed and was delighted to spend an extra 15 minutes with this new “friend.” They exchanged numbers and a kiss at the door, before she went up to her apartment feeling like she wanted to see this man again. Weeks followed with dates at Velska for our favorite pierogis, our local pub, American Cheese, for pizza and beer, and at the Pyramid Club for 80’s music dance parties. In February, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band was coming to a favorite neighborhood music scene spot, The Brooklyn Bowl, and Leisel thought this would be a fun date night… this is the night when we really both started feeling like the relationship was different and special for each of us. A month later Covid hit NYC. Greg invited Leisel to come over for the weekend and she ended up never leaving (as the joke goes). Dates out in the city turned into dates on the couch and in Prospect Park. We became each other’s best friends with themed movie nights, card games, and lots of wine and whiskey. Leisel’s roommates left the city and by the summer she permanently moved into Greg’s Brooklyn apartment. 4 years later, we still love our Brooklyn apartment and the life we’re building together.