Ryan got out of his Uber and walked up to the hostess at Farm Bar - the perfect Chicago location for a first date. It was an early September evening, and he was feeling pretty good, just a case of normal first date nerves. After a short conversation with the hostess, the nerves intensified. He had forgotten to make a reservation and the bar was full. There would not be any room for Ryan and his date that particular night.

Embarrassed, Ryan walked outside to wait and face the music. He had made a habit of arriving early on first dates as it is the courteous thing for the man to do. However, now he would have to wait alone until he could break the news to his date that he did not make the simple call to get a reservation at the bar he suggested. As he stood outside contemplating what type of first impression this mistake would make, another Uber pulled up and dropped off its passenger. Ryan immediately recognized the pretty girl as Erin whom he had matched online.

Ryan then broke the news to Erin and she seemed to take it in stride. No big deal. He felt a lot better after seeing her reaction. The two audibled and decided to walk to Tata’s Tacos just down the street. Along the walk, Erin let Ryan know that she had a friend’s birthday party to attend later that evening. He figured it was an “out” in case the date didn’t go well.

Once they arrived at Tata’s, the conversation and margaritas began to flow. The two enjoyed each other’s company for a couple of hours, but it felt like less. They discussed their family, occupations, experiences in Chicago, and their thoughts on how Game of Thrones ended (thankfully, neither of them was a fan). After some time, Erin asked Ryan if her friend Paige could join them at an arcade bar prior to heading to the “birthday party”. Ryan was a little bit surprised and confused – the party was real but she is asking if her friend can join a first date? He agreed and Erin and Ryan met up with her friend Paige at an arcade bar. After some time there, Erin asked Ryan if he would like to join them and crash the birthday party. Ryan politely declined and decided to head home for the night.

Looking back, Erin and Ryan discovered more about each other on their first date than they initially realized. Erin learned that Ryan was an easy going, go with the flow individual that can make a good time out of nothing even if there isn’t a plan. Ryan learned that Erin is a fiercely loyal individual that always makes time for her friends and family, even on a first date.

In the following weeks and months, Erin and Ryan began to spend more and more time with each other. They traveled to Boston to meet Erin’s family and up to Michigan to meet Ryan’s. Soon thereafter, the world shut down as the pandemic began. Ryan and Erin spent each day with each other. While Chicago was shut down, Ryan made sure that the two always had something entertaining to do while Erin kept the couple close to their friends and family. Time passed, feelings intensified, and Erin and Ryan fell in love.

The two eventually moved from Chicago to the Boston area. They got an apartment in Quincy and enjoyed Marina Bay, Quincy Center, and the short red line ride to downtown Boston. After the lease was up, they two took over house sitting duties while Erin’s parents went on a year long boat trip. The house didn’t burn down, so Erin and Ryan realized it was time to buy and build a home of their own. They purchased their current house in Waltham.

The following Thanksgiving, Ryan’s parents visited to celebrate the holiday. On that crisp Saturday morning, Erin suggested that the 4 of them go on a short hike nearby at Prospect Hill. Little did she know that this was Ryan’s plan all along. He had planned for Erin, Ryan and his parents go on this hike and he had Erins parents wait for them in the woods at the top. Once they arrived, Ryan knelt down on one knee and asked Erin to marry him. She enthusiastically agreed and the 6 of them celebrated. They then met at a local bar to celebrate with their friends and family. Ryan didn’t forget to make a reservation this time.

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