if you were to have told of us that we would work at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) and meet our best friend there, we're not sure we would have believed you, but it would have sounded exciting and lucky. With thanks to Matt's connections and knowledge of physics, Kathy taking Dinosaurs 206 and volunteering at the Rutgers Geology Museum, and that our friend, Jack Conrad, started Tidy Bowl football at AMNH, we met in the summer of 2009 (August 6!). Jack, the nicest person you could know, invited the paleontology interns to play football with the regular group. Kathy and Matt were on the same team and Matt tried teaching Kathy the Statue of Liberty play which she messed up. Still, Matt asked her to get nachos at a Jake's Dilemma hangout after, and with nachos came friendship. More football games followed, and we bonded over shared interests and food. Years of friendship with trips to the Henry Rutgers Diner for spinach and artichoke dip followed, and after a day at Point Pleasant Beach, sweet dinner on the Metuchen Main Street, and BBQ all in the summer of 2015, we officially started dating. Through living together in Brooklyn, taking monster walks to explore NYC, working up to running a half marathon together, seeing all the musicals, cooking, baking, and trying all the local eats; traveling near and far, getting engaged where it all started, under the Blue Whale in AMNH's Hall of Ocean Life (a room where we shared a first kiss), and marrying in a backyard wedding on October 17, 2020, we’re so happy and grateful to have shared these experiences and excited for the adventures that lie ahead.

Jack for creating a fun and supportive environment for us to meet. And, to everyone reading this, thank you for your love and support, and joining us almost one year into this new and most exciting adventure yet!