It was a fateful afternoon back in 2005, in a small city long abandoned by the desolate coal industry and largely remembered only thanks to Billy Joel. Allentown, Pennsylvania was home to Muhlenberg College, a small liberal arts institution, and the college both Brett and Leah had decided to call home for the next 4 years...well at least Leah would, as Brett is known to sample various homes of academia. Although Brett and Leah had casually met prior to this afternoon, it wasn’t until this particular day that Brett was feeling unusually short of clean clothes. Desperate for some help with his “laundry” Brett asked Leah if she would come to the rescue. Leah obliged, and the rest was history... Well, not quite. Shortly after, Leah went to study abroad in the Netherlands and Brett decided to finish his undergraduate studies at NYU. The two parted ways as they entered their junior year and continued on, happily enjoying their formative adult years. It wasn’t until one fortuitous evening right before the summer of 2017. Leah received an alert on her phone, and it displayed a handsome face she recognized in an instant. It’s a match.

Leah should have known something was up on the morning of December 22, 2018. She woke up with a terrible migraine. While a migraine is no picnic, Leah was relieved today was a day devoid of commitments or time restraints. One in which she could close her eyes again and sleep off the headache before she and Brett departed for the house in Sagaponack. Much to her confusion, Brett seemed unusually energetic, ready to hit the road and begin their weekend out east. With tears in her eyes Leah told him to “get the **** out the bedroom, turn off all the lights, and give her more time”. After all, what was the rush? Before long Leah had fallen back asleep. However, she soon awoke to Brett sitting at the side of the bed, her favorite coconut water, vegetable sandwich, and some well needed pharmaceuticals in hand. He even offered to drive them out east. Despite being confused, Leah was grateful Brett was being so thoughtful, loving, and gentle. She soon felt well enough to pack up some things, so she, Stella, and Brett were on the road. It wasn’t long after they arrived at the house that Leah started rambling off the shopping and seafood destinations she had envisioned for the day. Obviously, culminating in a lobster feast for both of them. Once in the car, Brett casually mentioned that they hadn’t been to the beach much that past Summer and he wanted to check out the surf. Leah couldn’t say no. After all, Brett had been so sweet the whole morning and had earned a few minutes before their errands. They arrived at the beach just as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds. The waves curled in rows that appeared a mile high and crashed down emitting a geyser of spray the same height. While marveling at the beauty, Leah felt a tug at her arm. Brett was on one knee ready to promise forever. For the first time in their relationship, the lobster would have to wait.