Adam made a smart play on the first date by bringing homemade dessert. Since both parties claimed to make the best chocolate chip cookies, there was no choice but to compete. Results of whose cookies are better remain under examination and require more extensive testing. For science.

On their second date, they went to Jake's Rocks and learned that either Gina had the wrong bike or she was a very poor bicyclist. Adam was very concerned about breaking the woman before he really got to know her. But they both made it out of the woods to get ice cream. Even at this early stage, a pattern was forming...

The third date was a private tour of the Crary Art Gallery and Museum for Adam and then an outdoor dinner and concert in Warren, PA. The fourth date was kayaking during a manhunt. Helicopters surveying the woods and surrounding area added a special ambience to the ambling downstream. Ice cream was involved afterwards.

Gina had never been on a fourth date (due to high standards), so it was a fascinating time. Adam even decided to go to Regina's church the next day, when she was leading worship. Which, in Gina's mind, only counts as a 1/2 date, especially since they didn't really chat and no dessert was involved. After this, Adam and Gina spent the summer riding bikes, picnicking, and educating Adam about the best movie of all time: Princess Bride. Gina gave up keeping track of their dates after the 10th since Adam seemed pretty intent on perpetually holding her hand.

Science and dessert continued to play a large role in their dating life, especially since Regina took a summer class about food science. Adam helped her conduct experiments for her class related to pie crust. Did you know Crisco really does make a better crust than butter? Well, now you do. They also determined that one of the best kinds of ice cream in the world is Let's Dough Buffalo, although neither party would like to claim any affiliation with the hockey team that sponsors this particular Perry's ice cream flavor.

By the end of August, both Adam and Regina were mutually beyond smitten. By the end of September, they were in really good shape with all the bike riding and hiking. By the end of February, they were really out of shape because of Winter, and sickness, and a continued love of dessert. (No regerts.)

In March, Adam contributed to Regina's bug collection for her birthday. In April, he contributed to her rock collection twice. Once with a fossil chambered ammonite from one of his trips in Canada, and then with a beautiful engagement ring. She really couldn't compete with his level of gift giving ability at this point. The only thing she had left to offer was her love for the rest of their lives. Adam seemed to think that was enough.

They celebrated with, shockingly, ice cream.