We met as all good journalists meet...online. Somehow being the only two people in radio (and on dating apps) in Milwaukee who had spent 5 years not crossing paths. Truly a marvel.

Emily's pictures in all these different places piqued my interest and made me want to get to know who the heck this traveling beauty was. And who could blame me? It's hard to come back from saying Kansas City is my favorite place to have traveled and not be named Taylor Swift.

We matched on Hinge, and after I had used all my good lines I worked up the courage to ask her out. She agreed, probably curious herself to meet Kansas City's #1 fan. On March 5th, 2023, I parked my car on the mean streets of Milwaukee's Walker's Point, took a deep breath, and walked into Camino. Not long after, Emily walked in and greeted me with a smile and a hug - which is when I knew she was someone special.

I knew that same night that Emily was my person when, while bonding over a shared love of dating reality shows and the pains of working in radio, she reached over and grabbed pickles from my plate. Her disarming "can I have some pickles?" made my heart skip a beat. It still does.

We didn't go on a second date for two weeks. But then that turned into a week inbetween, five days inbetween, and before I knew it, we were spending so much time together that the days we weren't made me feel not whole. And by that time I had so many new vegetarian and sweets recipes that I needed a guinea pig. Thankfully, Emily has always been a willing participant.

We've gone from trips to eachother's hometowns, family parties (shoutout Kenilworth Block Parties and the Rotman Family Hannukah Extravaganza), drives to the U.P., holidays, working together on the Rot's Hots food truck, and one big trip to Italy. Sure, she knew something was up after I told her I booked a garden tour in Florence, but what can I say? I'm a romantic. Couldn't think of anywhere better to ask my favorite person in the world to legally be responsible for me.

Every day since March 5th, 2023 has been better than the last. And so here we are. Excited to have our friends and family join us for a kickass party in the middle of a Milwaukee summer! Just down the road from where it all began.

p.s. I was requested to tell everyone Emily did not write this, despite the fact that it rules.