IX.XI.MMXXI

We met the old fashion way, by chance on a hot and humid July night! In true form, Michael needed a little extra encouragement to go out by his friends while Lillian was the one encouraging her sister to stay out after a baseball game. As fate would have it, they both went to Barcelona Wine Bar in Washington, DC. Although they talked for maybe for 2 minutes at Barcelona Wine Bar, the real magic happened down the street at another bar, Saint Ex. The night turned into morning and Lillian's sister was getting restless for bed. Cutting the chase short, Michael and Lillian exchanged numbers before going separate ways. After their chance meeting, Michael wasted no time to ensure they hung out. They met in between their apartments at Jack Rose and the rest is history!

Reservations were made a month in advance for a double date with friends at Michael and Lillian’s favorite restaurant, Le Diplomat. With the reservation being later in the evening, Michael had extra time to recreate the night when they became official. Little did he realize the magic of Friday the 13th would not make his plans easy. Lillian was on the way back from the dog park with a muddy puppy when she got a text from Michael checking to see if she wanted to go out before dinner. Always wanting to be out and about, Lillian was suspiciously excited because Michael normally wouldn’t push for pre-dinner cocktails. While Lillian was giving Beacon a bath, Michael arrived home from work and told her to clean up for a nice night out - he’d take care of Beacon! There wasn’t much time to ask questions before the Uber arrived to whisk them off to drinks. After a few confusing turns by the driver, Lillian finally oriented herself outside Columbia Room — where they had an amazing date the summer before (and became official). Here, Michael’s surprises continued. He had a reservation for two in a private booth with velvet curtains. Lillian was trying to not get ahead of herself; however, when Michael referenced one of her favorite songs by Taylor Swift — “Paper Rings” — she was convinced something was definitely up. Fully expecting a paper ring, when Michael flipped the red “Tiny Jewel Box” open, it was anything but paper.