It was spring 2018 in New York City, and both Adam and Erin were losing confidence that they would ever meet their person. They decided separately to attend a birthday party for their mutual friend, Francine, on a Monday night in Manhattan to make the most of their independence. Little did they know that this one simple decision would be life-changing. Sitting diagonally from each other over a delicious dinner at Miss Lily's Caribbean restaurant in the West Village - including the best ever coconut birthday cake! - they found themselves engaged in magnetic conversation that lasted until they parted ways at the subway station. Afterwards, Adam reached out to Francine to thank her for a great party and for having great taste in friends. He tried to be subtle about asking for Erin's number but his motive was obvious. Since their own birthdays were coming up (just two weeks apart!) Adam thought a dinner to celebrate was a good play for a first date. Trusting Francine as an excellent judge of character Erin agreed, and although she showed up an hour late Cupid was right on time.

After a few months of living through COVID lockdown in Brooklyn, it was clear that these lovebirds would make a winning team that could successfully tackle everything from day-to-day tasks, like cultivating a backyard garden, to major life challenges like surviving a global pandemic. When travel restrictions and bad weather spoiled Adam's original plans to propose, he decided to pop the question at a charming steakhouse on a lake on the way to a week-long vacation in Cape Cod. But like most things in 2020 it wasn't that easy! The demands of a new job had left Erin exhausted, bleary-eyed and nearly ready to call off dinner. An over-eager waiter kept trying to bring champagne before Adam had a chance to find his moment. But before the meal was over they both paused to acknowledge that even though nothing else in the world was going right, their decades-long search for a lasting love had turned out better than they ever imagined. And that was Adam's cue! It took until they were the last couple in the restaurant but it ended up being the best dessert Erin ever had. Fittingly, the engagement ring is a family heirloom that dates back to the last pandemic over 100 years ago. The couple hopes that this symbol of longevity will bring them good fortune in their life together.