The first time we spoke Jess was in the elevator leaving the office. Jess was carrying a box that had a photo of a fire extinguisher on it... little did I know I was probably the 10th person that day to make a subpar joke about ordering a fire extinguisher to the office. While I walked home thinking about this new girl at work who was pretty, well put together and so practical that she ordered a fire extinguisher for her NYC apartment. Unfortunately for me as I'd later learn - Jess didn't think twice about our conversation and it wasn't until one of PitchBook's infamous "happy hours" that I was able to get a second shot. We talked for hours, and Jess eventually asked for my phone number. Initial thought... this is a great sign for me. Reality.... she didn't know my name and thought exchanging numbers would be the easiest way to get it without having to ask again.... After we exchanged phone numbers and went our separate ways... we then proceeded to awkwardly pretended like we didn't know who each other in the office for many months. Then came the Instagram/texting phase of our relationship... after many Instagram DM's commenting on any content that Jess posted (which was far and few between) - we started talking regularly via text/Instagram, still awkward and fearful of developing a workplace relationship. If we could attribute any "catalyst" to this relationship - it would be all due to a little Brussels Griffon named Gizmo... After a few months of this, I finally was able to convince Jess to let me take her on a date - in the middle of a snowstorm nonetheless. Snow was falling, we were having a good time and after Jess ordered a glass of red wine (at a Brewery) and immediately proceeded to shatter her glass, apologize 1000X times to me and the bartender who helped clean it up - I knew there was something special about this girl. Not exactly a spark, more a "shattering" of excitement 1 date, turned into 2 and ultimately us secretly dating and not telling any coworkers - still awkward and nervous of a workplace relationship. Neither of us knew where this was headed. However, from that 1st date - there was no looking back and here we are getting married 4.5 years later. Thanks Gizmo!