Bill & Julia met while clerking for judges in Detroit Lakes, MN, having fled the travails of their former lives and finding solace in this new friendship.

Julia departed Detroit Lakes for a dream job in NYC. Tears in our eyes at this departure. Would we remain friends despite the miles?

We did! Bill invited Julia to The Gathering of the ToTalos, his crew's annual reunion, featuring videogames, board games, role playing games, and good times.

Despite the miles, the connection persisted, and Bill asked Julia out in January 2022. In February, he flew to New York City for their first date! (Appropriately, Company, a Sondheim show about dating in your mid-thirties.) (Also featuring a visit to the Museum of Natural History -- obviously.)

Second date -- Savannah! Featuring Bill's first kayaking trip and Julia's first comprehension of Fine Dining.

From there, the couple took turns traveling to and fro -- here, a waterfall in Minnesota...

...there, The Black Keys in New York.

We knew pretty quick this wasn't going away any time soon, but we made it official on March 31, 2023... having already made plans to move across the country together!

Thus, we drove into the east. Allons-y, to Maryland!

We've been living the dream ever since...

...and even the cats and dogs are starting to agree! (Yes, all six of us are in this one photo!)