Kate’s Version: I was living in LA, headed to NY for a weekend trip with my good friend Lindsay. I arrived one night before her and decided to download Tinder (I’d never been on a dating app before), hoping for a casual, fun one-time date with a stranger. Brian was the first person I matched with and the first person to message me. We talked about sushi and travel and how I was only visiting and free that night. He didn't mind and wanted to go out anyway. I liked him instantly. We walked through the city arm in arm and ended up at a wine bar talking until they closed at 2am. I didn't think I'd ever see him again, but after another date that weekend (under the condition that Lindsay could come along - still undecided which one of them was more MVP for being down for that), a lot of FaceTimes, bi-coastal flights and a move later, we’re still walking around arm in arm. That was March 2019. Brian’s Version: Some people get lucky on their first swipe. Others, not so much... After matching with Kate on Tinder I immediately had a good feeling about her from our brief conversation. That feeling disappeared quickly as I was beginning my 40 minute subway ride to meet her. As I opened the app to let her know I was running a few minutes late, her profile had disappeared. We hadn't exchanged numbers, so I assumed she had blocked me and would not be meeting me - wouldn't be the first time. I weighed my options, but decided I should at least see where the night would take me and check out a new place in the city. To my surprise and relief, she was there when I arrived. A few years later and I'm still surprised daily in the ways she shows up for me.

When COVID was at its peak, we went to Vermont to quarantine with Brian's family for three months. If there's one way to get to know your in-laws quickly this is it. Of course there were moments of chaos, but on day 90 we were sad to say goodbye. We had several "quarantine projects" in VT, but our proudest is a mile-long trail we built around Ron and Michele's 14-acre property. We would get up in the morning before work, douse ourselves in bug spray, and head into the woods with rakes, leaf blowers, clippers, Brian's brother Jay (our designated foreman), and all three dogs -- read "moments of chaos" above. One day we unearthed a magical area under many leaves that had big sitting rocks and a tall tree. It became Kate's favorite place. For her birthday last year, Brian's family surprised her with an incredible gift... an official "Kate's Corner" sign, planted begonias, and light-catching tree ornaments decorating the area. After many walks, the trail had become the perfect metaphor for our relationship: something built with love and care, changing with every season. On October 10, 2021, Brian and Kate went out for an afternoon walk to check on Kate's Corner. This time lights had been strung in the trees, and hundreds of dahlias sat amongst the rocks. Brian got down on one knee and asked Kate to marry him. She gave the easiest yes she's ever given.

The idea of gathering with all our friends and family to begin this next chapter of life brings us so much joy. To each one of you reading, thank you for the many ways you've loved and supported us. We cannot wait to celebrate together in June!