We both “liked” each other on Hinge and Monty sent the first message. He asked if Peggy wanted to hang out that weekend but unfortunately, Peggy had work and asked if he was available the following week. Monty said he was leaving for a work trip to London for two weeks along with a sad face emoji, but, feeling a vibe, Peggy asked if he would be interested in just texting for two weeks until he got back - he was! Working around the time difference, they texted for two weeks, which turned into three and a half when his trip was extended (and when Peggy questioned if he was ever coming back). Finally, in early July, Monty returned to the states and Peggy came over the next day. She brought him a monstera plant as a gift and they went to sushi. Peggy asked if Monty wanted to go to the Giants game the next day for the 4th of July, and of course, he did. Over a crab sandwich, a beer, and some (literal and metaphorical) fireworks, they fell in love, and the rest is history!

Monty planned a week long getaway in the mountains in between Christmas and NYE. The plan was to escape with the dogs, and we did! There was no internet in our little cabin and it rained for the first 48 hours so we read and worked on a puzzle and cooked. On Thursday the rain cleared a bit and the mist came in, so Monty suggested a hike - wouldn’t you know he already had a place in mind! Peggy threw on her sweatpants and beanie and they drove (slowly, carefully) up to a nature preserve. There was a floating dock in the lake surrounded by wild weeds and reeds - they walked down to look around and take photos. The sun was shifting and the trees changed colors as the mist lifted and Monty talked about how happy he was to go on adventures with Peggy and how he was looking forward to many more. He pulled out a little wooden box, got down on one knee (which is not easy on a floating dock), and asked Peggy to marry him. After blacking out a bit and screaming, “Are you serious?!” Peggy said yes, absolutely.