Andrew and Kevin found each other the old fashioned way... on the dating app OkCupid. Kevin was excited by their mutual interests of skiing and the arts, while Andrew was perplexed by Kevin’s choice of profile photos.

They exchanged dangerously few messages before Kevin, in a move of uncharacteristic decisiveness, asked Andrew to meet IRL. They agreed on brunch at Lido in Harlem that was extended with a walk in Central Park before Andrew had to depart for another first date that afternoon. (The latter did not go as well as the former, obviously). Andrew was immediately intrigued by the twinkle in Kevin’s eyes and warmth in his easy laugh. That date -- October 22, 2017 -- was, however, the end of Kevin’s decisiveness.

In the six years since, they’ve traveled to 13 countries, 23 states, and 3 provinces; attended hundreds of shows/concerts/events; skied more than 500,000 vertical feet; enjoyed several of the world’s top restaurants and cocktail bars; moved in/out of five apartments in two cities; and given each other more than one at-home haircut/mohawk. Kevin convinced Andrew to go camping (a.k.a. dirt sleeping) a collective total of six nights over three trips, and Andrew has made a proper Indy 500 fan out of Kevin. (We’re still working on the Red Sox).

Early one June morning on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Kevin, once again uncharacteristically, dragged Andrew out of bed to the romantically named Donkey Beach. Sitting on the deserted yet perfect white sand beach watching the sunrise, Kevin spun around onto one knee with a ring in his hand. Andrew clasped his hands to his mouth, burst into tears, and quickly uttered, “Are you sure?” After a few minutes of protestations, Kevin reminded Andrew that he hadn’t yet answered. But we all know that eventual answer is the reason we're all coming together to celebrate.

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