"What's your song of the summer?" ^ That was Brecka's opening line to get Tom's attention on the dating app Bumble. For those fortunate enough to never have used online dating apps, Bumble's distinguishing characteristic is the woman has to send the first message. From there it was lots of banter and jokes until Tom finally asked her out on a proper date. Our first date started at Brick and Mortar in Central Square- a cute speakeasy in Cambridge! Tom almost started talking to the wrong red head in the bar, but thankfully caught himself before he made any embarrassing moves. We both wanted to order the drink "Girls on Film"..... but neither of us wanted to say it out loud... because that name is ridiculous. Tom eventually mustered the courage to get our drink order in for us. After Brick and Mortar we walked down the street to the now defunct People's Republik- a fake Russian dive bar where we played darts and continued the conversation. Not wanting the night to end, we finished up with ice cream from JP licks in Harvard yard. Brecka knew there was something special about Tom because she didn't want the night to end, and Tom knew there was something special about Brecka because she ordered a large frappe on a first date. The rest, as they say, is history!

Brecka and Tom planned an amazing 3-week trip across Germany, Austria, and Italy after both of them were burned out from work and needing to scratch a travel itch that COVID had created. We spent the first week in Germany, enjoying history, nature, architecture, and absolutely sweating our butts off. We were happy to get to some higher elevation in Austria and explore the mountains. We started in Salzburg and had planned to spend the day at The Kehlsteinhaus (Hitler's Eagle Nest). The drizzly and foggy weather had other plans for us. We decided instead to take a bus back over the boarder to Lake Königssee in Berchtesgaden National Park in Germany. We took an electric boat ride across the mountain lake- only electric boats are allowed on the water- resulting in the most beautiful green and blue clean, clear water! At the far end of the Königssee, we embarked on a hike up to a more secluded lake, Lake Obersee. The scenery was to die for. The fog from the day cast a cool, calming effect on the lake. We eventually reached Obersee and Fischunkelalm (a small mountain hut). We had an amazingly simple and delicious meat and cheese lunch at the alm; the dairy was made fresh from the cows in the back of the alm. We polished off our lunch with some tasty radlers and headed down to the water to take some photos by the lake. From here, Brecka pretty much blacked out and only remembers Tom bending down to grab his bag and pulling out the most incredible ring she's ever seen. Tom remembers waiting to find a private place, and being excited when they found the perfect moment. Tom asked, Brecka said yes, and they can't wait to celebrate with all of you in Idaho!!