Patrick and I knew each other tangentially at this point. He'd seen me cutting my friend's hair in a backyard at some point and sent me this request. He still won't tell me if he was flirting or just wanted a free haircut. PS the haircut I gave him was so bad it made me question whether I was attracted to him (it grew out & I am!)

We started meeting and trading/chatting about books at Coffee Exchange (we sat at that table on the far right a lot!) some books we traded during this time: Atonement - Ian McEwan City of Thieves - David Benioff Labyrinths - Jorge Luis Borges The City and the City - China Mieville

After a year of being in a two person book club, we made plans for a 5AM diner hangout before we both left for winter break (him to the Czech Republic, me to Taiwan) I thought for sure Patrick would make a move but instead we had a very platonic chat about travel logistics over pancakes...

Patrick thought about it all break and figured out a way to hang out with me as soon as I got back. That night was our first date.

I invited him over to play chess (the board in question) and now we're getting married!