It happened at Al’s & Vic's which sounds a little silly like we met at a bar but it is actually quite a unique and happy story.

In March of 2019 Hannah lived alone in an apartment downtown Missoula. She was working hard on applying to school in hopes of eventually getting into a nursing program. She would often meet up with her sister and friends at their local bar Al’s & Vic’s.

Ben was working landscaping and living up the south hills in a quadplex. Enjoying time with friends, playing softball in the summer, and attending as much live music as he could.

Neither of them were looking for someone special.

This day was no different.

After spending time with her sister at Al’s & Vic’s Hannah ran into some new female acquaintances. They had met through mutual friends and she decided to enjoy some time talking with them.

After a little while, two guys arrived.

Leland, who Hannah didn't know, was meeting up with one of the girls Hannah was speaking with. Benjamin was tagging along with Leland. (It wasn't often that Ben went to downtown bars. ) While Leland conversed, Ben sat at the table next to theirs. Seemingly uninterested in joining in the conversation.

Hannah being an empathetic person (she is going into nursing after all…) thought this guy was sitting alone because he was shy. So she took the liberty to extend the conversation to him.

She asked “Are you with this guy?” referring to his good friend Leland.

His response “yea...?”

She playfully replied “Well come hang out! Talk with us!”

Hannah would later find out, Ben was watching sports highlights on the TV and was perfectly content just sitting by himself. ;)

After some time the girls left, and the three of them continued on in conversation.

Poor Leland... What ended up happening was Ben and Hannah talked for almost 3 hours at the bar. While Leland participated... he was also becoming a third wheel for the night.

Mind you, at this time Benjamin was working in landscaping. He was wearing his dirty work clothes, his hair was shaggy long, he had a scruffy beard, and a muddy hat.

But Hannah liked him. They just talked so effortlessly, and time sped by that evening. Ben offered Hannah another drink, but it was getting late. So she declined. But before he could ask her for her phone number, Hannah asked him for his. She knew she didn't want to leave without knowing they would talk again.

He always reminds everyone that he was going to ask Hannah for her number, but that she beat him to it! Which he bashfully rolls his eyes at.

Flash forward to their first date. Benjamin showed up with a fresh haircut, no beard, and nice clothes. Hannah barely recognized him. But she thought he looked very handsome. Again they spent hours together that night talking and learning about each other.

Six months went by of Hannah regrettably turning away from Ben. She had decided before meeting that she was not wanting a committed relationship. She was busy with school and focused on her future.

But Ben stuck it out. He was never pushy, he was never clingy, he gave Hannah the space she needed. But any time Hannah asked him to hang out, he was right there.

Ben says he knew there was something special about Hannah and she was worth the time and energy he spent getting to know her over those 6 months.

Finally, Hannah invited Ben to see the band CAKE at the Kettlehouse. She admits she got a bit tipsy, dancing and singing with no shame, but Ben held her hand and laughed and danced right along side her.

The next day Hannah asked him to be her Boyfriend.

They have since gone on many adventures together, traveling to Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Mexico, Canada, and soon, Hawaii!

They live together with their cat Arugula. Hannah has achieved her goal of getting into nursing school. With a graduation date of May 2024. She is currently Working as a CNA at Saint Patrick’s Hospital. Ben is also in school for information technologies and cyber security. With a graduation date in December of 2024. He is currently an assistant manager at Home Resource, a local non profit recycled building material store. And now, 4 years later, we get to celebrate and enjoy the union of these two best friends.

BENJAMIN AND HANNAH ARE GETTING MARRIED!

LETS PARTY!