We met through our beloved friend Johnny Koch. At the time, Tom was working nightshifts and Alice would spend time at Johnny and Toms apartment, always waving to Toms door. Our paths finally crossed when Tom (uncharacteristically) got up early and found Johnny and Alice making music in the apartment. A year passed with the same hectic schedule; but once Tom transitioned back into day work, we reconnected and began spending lots of time together. We quickly became great friends and began having frequent movie nights, dinner outings, and late nights at the apartment. Although neither of us were looking for a relationship at the time, our adventures became more frequent, natural, and full of happiness that it was clear that we were great for each other.

After months false starts and having plans foiled by COVID, Tom finally decided to make the proposal happen no matter what. He covertly took the day off work, and his sister Meg helped him buy supplies and set up lanterns and lights at Hedges. Alice was sick, but he convinced her to go to dinner. While driving, Tom nervously took back roads and wrong turns so that the sun would be setting when they arrived at Hedges. Tom asked her to come see what someone had set up by the lake, and she agreed to brave the cold and look. Tom brought out the ring, and was so nervous that he gave it to Alice upside down. Meg and Collin came out from behind some trees, and had Alice's mom Helen on a video call from Texas. After many happy tears, we walked into Hedges to find out the whole restaurant had been watching from the windows and cheering.