Caroline & Stephen

June 29, 2024

Caroline & Stephen

June 29, 2024

Our First Date (photo sneakily taken by Cupid herself)

Picture of Our First Date  (photo sneakily taken by Cupid herself)

Once upon a time at an old Boston pub named Harvard Gardens, two aspiring adults unknowingly set out on a collision course.


For Caroline, a newly minted ICU nurse, Harvard Gardens was a place to unwind with friends after a long shift at Massachusetts General Hospital. For Steve, a young tech salesman, it was a spot to drink discounted Friday beers with his buddy, Nick, the barkeep.


While waiting for Nick to finish his shift one Friday night, Steve struck up a conversation with a couple from Milton and unbeknownst to him, the interaction would kick off the crowning achievement of his sales career.


This couple, Patty and Bill Harris, live across the street from the Gailius family in Milton. Ever since Caroline was little, the Harris’ always made sure she was taken care of. After chatting with these two strangers for a couple hours, Steve made a stellar first impression. The impression was good enough for Patty to attempt setting up Caroline with this “really nice guy.” Patty shot her Cupid’s arrow in hopes that Steve would connect with Caroline over social media, but they never linked up.


Fate decided to step in. A few month’s later, Steve and the Harris's had yet another random encounter at Harvard Gardens, where this time Patty would take a more aggressive tact in her role as Lady Cupid...Even Bill chimed in, letting Steve know that he was really missing out by not reaching out to Caroline. This second encounter prompted Steve to become friends with Caroline on Instagram.


A few direct messages later, Steve asked Caroline on a date, and they agreed to meet at… you guessed it…Harvard Gardens. While getting to know each other over a couple Moscow Mules, Steve scanned the room and recognized a familiar face in a swarm of blue scrubs. “Hey, isn’t that your friend, Patty, in the corner?” Caroline’s heart dropped. She quickly turned around and locked eyes with Patty, who slowly hid her face with her menu.


Beet red and wildly embarrassed, Caroline fumbled trying to explain that it’s “not what it looks like.” Patty, also frazzled, strut over to the bar and swore on her life that she had no prior knowledge of their date. In fact, she was at Harvard Gardens that night celebrating her 30-year Nursing reunion with old coworkers. VERY skeptical but also amused at the spy that Caroline never hired, Steve was not scared away.


Fast forward six years, Steve and Caroline continue to go on dates at Harvard Gardens, but now as future husband and wife.