It was the first Friday of November in Old City, which meant that many of the neighborhood's art and design galleries were alive and open to the public with fresh exhibits and complimentary light fare. Iris and a few friends had been drawn to an eclectic display at a small gallery near the east end of Arch street. A short time later, Will and some of his coworkers wandered into the same gallery, enticed by the prospect of free pineapple beer served in a clear plastic cup. Standing in line for the bar, first impressions were positive, if a bit misguided. "I thought you looked so stylish and refined, like a museum curator", Will would reflect later on, having accurately summed up her spirit, if not her corporate tech job. "And I thought you were a carpenter. Someone good with their hands, who knows how to fix things." It may have been the jeans and denim jacket (Canadian tuxedo) combination that had led her so tragically astray. Nevertheless, as they took stock of the artwork around them and reflected on shared pop culture references, the background chatter melted away and the time flew by. In what seemed like moments an hour had passed; beer no longer being served, friends and coworkers ready to move on to new destinations. Iris and Will slipped away to trade the white walls of the gallery for a cozy lamp-lit interior at the Olde Bar, the same place Will's brother had hosted his rehearsal dinner a couple of years prior. Sitting at the bar, they sipped Manhattans until last call. A day later, Will invited Iris to come to Hawaii with him the following weekend. Iris sanely declined, but it left her intrigued and interested in a second date!

After their relationship survived the pandemic, Will and Iris decided it was time to shack up together. Will sold his house and Iris broke her lease (with Nevena's approval, of course). They moved to a condo in the Italian Market, but were there only 6 months before taking advantage of the interest rates of a bygone era to purchase their rowhome near the border of the Queen Village and Bella Vista neighborhoods.

On a Sunday in May, Iris was dressed and ready for what she thought was her future brother-in-law's birthday party at the park. Will led the way as they walked one of their regular routes through the cobblestone side streets of Society Hill. They talked about their dream of living in a city with a partner who loved to travel and how it had come true. As they approached one of their favorite spots in the city, the Physick House, Will pointed out that the iron gate that was usually locked was open. Inside the garden, Will proposed while a photographer hid in the bushes to capture the moment! That was Iris' side of the story. For a glimpse into Will's perspective on the proposal, check out the photo gallery.