We met at a bar.

The answer to the question “How did you meet?” is also one of the couple's favorite catchphrases. Neither Josh nor Claire was looking for a significant other when they went to Red Rock Saloon in Milwaukee at the end of September 2019.

Claire had just moved back to her hometown from NYC, and her friend Liza invited her to a game night at the Water Street bar. Josh had spent the last year studying for the CPA exam and wanted to get out and meet new people in the area.

After a few rounds of card games and a quick trip to the taco truck outside, Josh and Claire found themselves standing next to each other at the bar. They started chatting. Josh bought Claire a Miller High Life. Soon, they realized their spots at the card game table were taken, so they decided to play giant Connect 4.

There they stayed for the rest of the night, talking and laughing as if they were the only two in the whole bar.

For the record, Claire won most of those Connect 4 games. The couple disagrees as to whether Josh let her win or not.

By the end of the night, they had exchanged numbers. The wheels were set in motion for their first date.

Their first date included a trip to Cedarburg for Oktoberfest, a tradition that they've continued every year since. (Their engagement photos were taken in Cedarburg!)

After an afternoon filled with German food, beer, and live Glockenspiel, they headed back down to Milwaukee to check out the Fear District outside Fiserv Forum. There, the couple had their first photo together... where they posed inside a coffin.

Despite the implications of that setting, that day marked the start of a relationship that still is very much alive.

The couple had only been dating for 5 months when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world. The only silver lining was that it gave Claire and Josh plenty of time to get to know each other.

They added more games to their repertoire (Code Names and poker were among their favorites). Sunny days meant walks through the park or to the coffee shop. Rainy ones led to movie marathons and too many completed puzzles to count — all pastimes that they still enjoy.

In May 2021, a furry friend joined the crew of two. Josh and Claire got Archie, their loveable corgi. He can be a stinker, but all the never-ending shedding and house-chewing aside, he's so stinkin' cute.

On December 12, 2022, our heroes flew into New York City. Claire was excited to show Josh around her old stomping grounds for the first time. Josh had other plans.

Once they dropped off their luggage at Claire's brother Karol's apartment, the three made their way to Rockefeller Center. Claire's favorite spot in the city.

Josh told Karol to take a picture of him and Claire in front of the famed Christmas tree.

Then, he got down on one knee and asked Claire to spend the rest of their lives together.

She said yes.

As they celebrate this next chapter of their lives, they will be forever grateful for that night. The night that

we met at a bar.