Bill's Version - Maureen was unlike anyone I had ever met on online dating apps. Almost immediately we moved from the standard awkward messages, to multi-paragraph style messages about everything under the sun. We talked about hobbies, books, sports, nerdy fandoms, the horrors of grad school, what we wanted to find in our future partner, and many other philosophical questions (like what truly IS a desert island movie?). After a month of talking to this amazing woman, I was so excited to go on our first date. Maureen's Version - Like many modern romances, our journey started on an online dating app. After initial matching and exchanging pleasantries, our conversation quickly ramped up to sending paragraphs of messages back and forth for over a month - earning Bill the nickname my "Texas Pen Pal" amongst my friends. I knew we had to meet after Bill shared that he had not only seen but also really enjoyed the movie "Father Goose" (which was my answer when I misunderstood Bill's question about what my favorite desert island movie was). Suggesting that we continue our conversation offline, I named a date, and Bill picked the place.

Bill's Version - Our first date was at Tin Roost at 6 pm on a Wednesday which would be weird day and time for a first date if you don't know about how insane Maureen keeps her social calendar. I still can't believe how fast time flew on that first date. In the blink of an eye, it was 10 pm, we were the last people out on the patio, and the waitress was giving us not so subtle hints to pay the tab and leave. We made plans for our next date - a whole week later thanks to her social calendar - by the time I had walked her to her car. Two things I will always remember from that date are 1) her amazing smile the first time I saw her and 2) how badly I couldn't wait to see her again. Maureen's Version - Our first date was on a weekday night at Tin Roost. In typical fashion, I had overfilled my calendar and also had plans to attend a joint birthday celebration for two of my friends later that evening. However, I couldn't have anticipated how easily the conversation flowed with Bill nor how quickly the time would pass. The next thing we knew nearly 4 hours had gone by, and the restaurant was closing down. Giddily, we made plans for a second date as we left the restaurant. Thankfully my friends were very understanding (even excited) that I missed their party as they knew it was a sign our date had gone very well.

Bill's Version - I inherited my Dad's inability to keep a secret, which is why I knew Maureen was on to me. Undeterred, I set my plan in motion and took her out to Tin Roost (where we had our first date), while our friends, Taylor and Georgianne, snuck into our basement and laid orange rose petals, lit candles, and displayed a sign with important dates in our relationship. After Maureen finally finished her drink at dinner (which took 19 years), we drove home, and I prepared to surprise her. Before I opened the garage door I asked if she was ready, and then....promptly blacked out. I don't remember what I said, just that it came from the heart and I meant every word of it. Maureen's Version - While I had my suspicions that a proposal was coming, Bill still managed to completely surprise me. After taking me out for dinner to the place where we had our first date, we returned home. Walking into our basement I was greeted by the sight of lit candles, rose petals, and a very thoughtful sign outlining our entire relationship. Bill got down on one knee, and it was the easiest answer and the easiest yes of my life <3