Wil and Liv were a year apart at the same MFA program and never crossed paths until years later, when they were invited to a birthday party in the west village. Liv went thinking she’d reconnect with an old friend; Wil went on a whim once he realized it was around the corner from Taylor Swift’s old apartment. Liv was the first to arrive; Wil was fashionably late (two hours). When Wil walked in, they locked eyes immediately and after he hustled back to the front door to put on his lucky golden shoes, Liv watched him zigzag around the crowded room, methodically shaking hands with everyone, saving her for last. “Olivia-Jane?” Wil repeated, as their hands lingered. “Huh. I’m going to have to remember that.” They spent the night discussing their favorite movies (The Count of Monte Cristo, The Red Violin, Hero) and their shared favorite television series (Game of Thrones, Euphoria), while dodging well-intentioned distractions from the other birthday guests. Neither wanted to leave.

For the next few weeks, they furiously texted and facetimed, until they set their first date. “Mini golf?” Wil suggested. “Psh!” Liv laughed, "What about trying our first escape room together?” Friends warned that it was risky: an escape room could make or break any relationship. And while Wil and Liv were terrible at it, they were great at having fun. They spent 15 minutes laughing and stumbling around a dimly lit 3x7 room in search of a switch to unlock the first clue – which they never found. Next, they challenged each other to a game of air hockey. As the puck bounced back and forth, their laughter continued and their romance bloomed through the best two out of three. They finished their competition with a kiss.

The morning of August 16th, Wil told Liv he was taking her on a surprise date. At 9:50 AM, Wil called an Uber. “Wait. Wendy's?” Liv asked as they were dropped off. “Oh look! The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens just opened," Wil gestured across the street. "Imagine that." They wandered the empty gardens until they spotted a tall Weeping Willow in a field. Underneath its secluded canopy, Wil declared his love for Liv and then got down on one knee. "Yes."