It started casually, when we discovered that we both belonged to the same rock climbing gym. We made plans to meet up there the morning after a friendsgiving celebration. Sara suggested, "maybe you should take my number in case we need to get in touch." Ed agreed, silently celebrated, and then they exchanged numbers. After a month and at least six visits to the gym together, they began to notice they were talking a lot more than they were climbing. A few months more of this and Sara again took the initiative. "I am having a lot of fun climbing and hanging out with you, but maybe we could try hanging out other places, too?" Ed agreed, silently celebrated, and then they started dating.

It started casually, when we finished doing our taxes together for the first time. "Would you like to take a walk in the Gardens?" Ed asked smoothly. Sara noticed Ed had changed into a nice button down and said, "Why are you wearing that? I 'm just gonna wear a t-shirt." Ed, less smoothly, replied, "This is just my favorite shirt ok I'm just gonna wear this shirt!" Sara raised an eyebrow at this, but got her coat and forgot about the shirt kerfuffle. When they got to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Ed was sure Sara knew something was going on. "Would you like to sit down over there?" Ed asked many times, hoping to lure Sara to a bench in a quiet section off the path. "No, I'm fine!" Sara would respond, seemingly unaware of how sweaty Ed's palms were becoming or that he kept checking to make sure that his jacket pocket was still zipped up tight. The April Fool's day crowds at BBG thinned out as they approached a bench in the Japanese Garden, across from the Torii Gate. "Let's sit down," he said, resorting to the imperative. Ed then began to tell Sara how much he had felt for her, even back at their first date and Sara began to tear up, definitely catching on. Ed went down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. Sara agreed, they both celebrated, and then they were engaged.