In 2020, a year shrouded in the darkness of a pandemic, the light of fate struck 2 unlikely strangers in a chance internet interaction, and Fate embarked them on their journey together, hosted by Match.com.

Small Town Boy

Dustin Lynch

“I'm a dirt road in the headlights,

I'm a mamas boy, I'm a fist fight,

Kinda county line, kinda cold beer,

Little hat down, little John Deere,

Kinda give a damn, I kinda don't care,

You see the girl standing right there.

She loves a small town boy like me,

She's my ride or die baby,

She's my cool, she's my crazy,

She's my laid back in the front seat,

She's my with me til the end girl,

My turn it up to ten girl,

She could have anybody that she wants,

To be anywhere she wants to be,

She loves a small town boy like me…”

This is it, don’t get scared now.

The stage is now set. After several correspondences to get to know each other, and the willingness to take a chance, our first date at Washington Prime in Norwalk CT was scheduled. With every ounce of courage he had, Scott stood outside the restaurant in the sweltering mid-July heat, waiting with anticipation, a single Red Rose in his hand, early…………. Fast forward, a little too early, the rose started to wilt, he started to panic (only a little). Natasha arrived on Natasha time, -never early but in breathtaking fashion,- a pattern Scott was soon to realize is beyond worth the wait, and to this day still takes his breath away.

Well, you don’t need to know the intimate details, but it was the spark that lit the fire. As Scott presented the flower to Natasha, an older couple sharing a table smiled at the new couple with much delight.

Clockwork……..

Picture this……. Westport Connecticut.. 2020. It was a kitchen renovation for the ages. A single elusive cabinet was all the difference between delays- delays -delays, or 1 step closer to completion. Natasha spent the day looking for the crown jewel that would complete her kitchen cabinet ensemble. Alas, the hunt finds the cabinet, but all the way in Philadelphia. Natasha, exhausted and frustrated calls Scott to vent about the circumstances of the day…. But wait…. Lo and behold… Scott happens to be working in Pennsylvania that day and is literally right down the street from the IKEA store that has the cabinet!!!!! Talk about FATE!!!!

This is where the true journey begins. A Beauty from Westport, and a Beast from a faraway kingdom (The Northeast kingdom of Vermont that is), begin the discovery process. What they find is a mutual love for travel, nature, hiking, cooking (“we don’t eat so much butter in Westport, Scott”), art, theater, country music (that caught everyone by surprise!), massages (Scott likes to give, Natasha likes to receive), Christmas, and finally a love for each other.

This was it, the time had arrived. Scott knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he could not let Natasha go, a woman as amazing as this doesn’t come along every day. The path was clear, and lead straight to Tiffany’s, there was no other option. Next stop Youtube for tutorials on how to properly propose in Russian, «Выходи за меня замуж», or "Marry Me" in English.

And since there's only one way to do this right, a quick long distance phone conversation with Natasha's Father, Mother and nephew Dima to interpret, as Scott asked Natasha's father for her hand in marriage...no stress!

OK, just one thing left to figure out, -the venue...got it! A New Year's Eve cruise on board the Virgin cruise ship The Scarlet Lady!