It was June 2021, and the Covid vaccines had finally taking effect, emboldening singleton's Julia and Mark to get back on the dating apps!

Several Match.com messages later, they finally decided to meet. Julia selected possibly the cheesiest non-threatening spot she could find, the Harry Carey's in exciting Rosemont, IL, where they could grab a drink in the bar and watch the Cubs game if conversation faltered. Which it didn't.

This was followed by a late June bike ride to the Chicago Botanic Gardens for a picnic and evening music a couple of weeks later. Once July 4th hit, they were largely inseparable, and the rest is history :-)