Erin and Rob met as two overworked big law associates in D.C. Rob was intrigued by Erin's brilliance and humor; Erin appreciated the coffees that Rob would bring to her office. On their first real date, they talked for hours over wine, with Erin catching Rob entirely off-guard at the end of the night by pointedly asking - "Was this a date?" Thankfully it was as they both wholeheartedly agreed, but communication is key.

In the following months, work may have suffered but love flourished, and even the rigors of big law became an absolute joy. They spent every waking moment together, even when clattering away on their work laptops. When Erin moved for a clerkship to Greenville, SC after just a few months together, without a thought they booked dozens of flights to and from D.C. to see each other every other weekend. When Erin caught Covid while visiting Rob and then when Rob caught Covid from Erin's landlord, they were secretly excited to spend an extra week together each time, even with masks and fevers.

When Erin moved back, they gleefully lived in Rob's cramped Silver Spring apartment while planning a series of life-defining transitions - job changes, a home purchase, and making the momentous decision to move from the Maryland side of the DMV to the Virginia side. They shared a shocking number of interests, all the way down to one of their first loves - the Atlanta Braves (if not the Chop). Their shared love of travel and exploration keeps life exciting, but it was often the quiet moments - alone or with friends - where they started to understand the power of their connection. It was revealed and shaped by late nights and hiking and winery days spent talking about their eerily similar worldviews, future plans, and priorities. It was realizing the contentment and joy that they feel around each other, which was nearly instantaneous and intensely easy.

Rob proposed to Erin on the same hike overlooking Harpers Ferry, WV that was the site of their first outdoor adventure and fourth date together. Since it was raining hard, Erin was taken by surprise when Rob got on one knee at the summit and took out the photo of them on that first hike. After some increasingly incoherent and excited babbling and Erin's slow realization of what was happening, she gleefully said yes (Editor's note: Erin says she blacked out but is pretty sure she came out with a verbal "yes" at some point), while best friends, complete strangers, and even a squirrel documented the moment, and family and friends joined in to celebrate nearby.

Erin and Rob are incredibly grateful for their loving family and friends, and they are thrilled to celebrate with them in the Virginia countryside.