Seriously, our first date was in a parking lot behind the Painted Burro in Somerville. After matching on a dating app and texting for a few weeks, we agreed to meet up for a drink. The times being what they were, we had a 90-minute reservation for a table under a tent in a parking lot. It was scorchingly hot, but we spent over an hour chatting and trying (unsuccessfully) not to sweat. When we attempted to order a romantic plate of nachos, the server told us our 90 minutes were up and we had to leave. So we did what any hot couple would do: we ordered ice cream at JP Lick's and ate sundaes in the shade. We eventually hugged and went our separate ways but a second date soon followed, after a Covid-appropriate waiting period. Fun fact: Rob was running a few minutes late and forgot to pay the parking meter. Unfortunately, the city of Somerville classified meter maids as essential workers, resulting in a $50 parking ticket.

While on a weekend trip to Vermont in May, Rob (with a little liquid courage) asked Taylor what she wanted in an engagement ring. She conveniently had saved her dream ring from designer Jennie Kwon six different times on Instagram. In June, R&T booked a November trip to Amsterdam and Paris, where everyone, including Taylor, assumed he’d propose at a romantic spot in Paris. However, anyone who knows Rob knows he’s more efficient than romantic. After working with the team at Jennie Kwon and with some input from Taylor’s sister Sara (who knew you could customize diamond prongs?), the custom-designed ring was delivered on August 1st shortly before Taylor got home from work. On August 3rd (efficient!), R&T went to Saratoga for a long-scheduled weekend of horse racing with Taylor’s sisters and brother-in-law. Arriving a little later than Rob had planned and just as it started to rain, R&T went straight to the track and lost a few bucks on the ponies, while Rob anxiously concealed the ring in his raincoat pocket. A walk through Congress Park after leaving the track led to a spot under a willow tree across from the Spirit of Life statue. Rob nervously mumbled something about Taylor making him happy, got down on one knee, and popped the question. Taylor knew something was up, but was still shaking as she said “Yes!”. Fittingly, there is a wonderful champagne bar (Bocage) a few steps away from Congress Park where R&T enjoyed a few glasses of champagne and some complementary caviar. A weekend of celebrations with family followed and the wedding planning began.