Charlie and Marie exchange some messages on OkCupid. Charlie woos Marie with talk of literature and beer, two of her favorite things.

We meet at Ashmont Grill in Dorchester. We sit on the patio. It's really hot out and Charlie sweats a lot.

Marie's new Miami-born Catahoula puppy finally arrives in Weymouth and Marie goes MIA for a bit. Charlie understands. This is a really good sign.

We go to Union Brewhouse in Weymouth because Marie is crate-training a puppy and has about a 2-hour window. Turns out two hours is enough to stun Charlie with her trivia skills.

We are smitten and officially become a couple.

We spend our first Christmas together with each other's families. Marie says "I love you" Christmas night. Charlie says "I know."

Charlie and his cat Tigra move in to Marie’s Weymouth home. Bowie is ecstatic. Tigra reigns the second floor, and Bowie thinks it's a small price to pay because, she too, is in love with Charlie.

We are feeling wild and decide to adopt another dog. We get Freddie, a cunucu from Aruba, from New Life for Paws. He's a special boy who loves to eat.

The many challenges of the pandemic, including a big career shift for Charlie, make us grow even closer.

Charlie pops the question on Marie’s 40th birthday. We get engaged at Nomai in Hingham. We celebrate with family at a surprise party at Widowmaker Brewery in Braintree the following day.