I was out on a date with another person that night. I went to the 1UP because it was one of my favorite places (drinks and video games!). The date wasn't going amazingly, so we wrapped things up, and I waited for a friend to pick me up. I went back into the bar and yelled at two men, Stetson and his Best friend Stephen, who were playing one of my favorite arcade games, Area 51. We made a bet about the winner of Area 51. Stetson walked away with my phone number, and Stephen walked away with a kiss from me. I walked away as the actual winner, not only because I won the game, but because I walked away texting the man who would become my husband.

The weekend had started when Stephen came down for one last weekend before moving to California. I had been living in an art gallery in Five Points for about a year at that point. We spent the weekend bar hopping and letting loose before ending the night Saturday at the 1UP, an Arcade bar. After a few drinks and games later we were approached while playing Area 51 by this girl who was less than pleased that we were playing her favorite game. Of course bets and further games ensued and I'm unsure who ended up winning that night. But one bet was made that Stephen would get a kiss and that bet got fulfilled. When it came to parting ways, Stephen's phone was dead but mine still had plenty of juice and so number exchanges ensued. Later the next day the gallery had an after hours party in which Vicky turned down an invite, her excuse being nothing good ever happens at 2am. Later on after more conversations had taken place and Stephen had completed his move, with permission from my best friend, Vicky and I went on our first official date. The rest is history.

Waimea Pier, Kauai HI