Connor and Molly met in Connecticut in the spring of 2022. Both knowing exactly what they were looking for and not interested in wasting time, they quickly launched into a series of very important tests. Test One: Banter & Expectations Their first date was at The Chelsea in downtown Fairfield, CT, apps and drinks at the bar, keeping things casual. Hours flew by as conversation moved effortlessly from hobbies and aspirations to expectations for the future, and even a shared desire for a big change (more on that later). By the end of the night, there were plenty of laughs, smiles, and a mutual certainty that a second date was happening. Test one passed. Test Two: How Low Can You Go? Some might call this the ultimate compatibility test: humor. For date number two, Connor and Molly headed to the Stress Factory in downtown Bridgeport on a Friday night and wisely chose seats in the back of the room (the safest option on a second date at a comedy club). As the jokes became increasingly bold, Connor quietly worried he might laugh a little too hard at something Molly would not appreciate. That concern vanished when a particularly raunchy punchline was met with Molly’s uncontrollable laughter. Test two passed. Test Three: Vacation? Just a few weeks in, Connor and Molly planned an international trip to the small island of Curaçao. What better test than isolating yourselves together for a week? Molly can be famously quoted saying, "I’m either going to leave this trip never speaking to this guy again, or we’re going to get married." (Spoiler alert.) During the trip, they climbed the island’s tallest peak, explored a seaside cave only accessible by boat and a well-timed underwater dash, chatted with locals, pet goats, and befriended every dog they met. By the time they returned home, they were already planning their next adventure. Test three passed. Test Four: Let’s Leave That big change they talked about? It came in the form of packing up their cars and moving cross-country to Denver, Colorado. In the first few months, they cheered on their hometown Bruins to beat the Avs, saw The Menzingers at Summit Music Hall, hiked nearby Mt. Morrison, and quickly found an incredible group of friends. Over the last three years, they have explored national parks, sleepy towns, and most importantly, every great dive bar and burger spot along the way. Test four passed. Test Five: Take a Hike On May 18, 2025, the day of their fake anniversary (please ask Molly for that story), Connor and Molly once again climbed Mt. Morrison, this time with much higher stakes. Wanting to honor Molly’s wish to be far away from people for her proposal, Connor led them a bit past the peak to the same spot where they had stopped three years earlier. There, Connor dropped to one knee and asked Molly to marry him. Noticing his calm demeanor and complete lack of nerves, Molly immediately responded, “Are you sure?!” After a shared laugh, Connor replied, “Absolutely.” An emphatic yes followed. Test five passed.