Alex first saw his beautiful fiancee as she walked in through the doors of Remnant Brewing in Union Square, Somerville. He immediately noticed her engaging eyes and was charmed by her quick wit and worldly experience. Knowing that this was his big chance to make an impression on his future wife, Alex somehow managed to snooker her into a blind taste testing of chartreuses. Needless to say, Era fell head over heels in love with Alex...eventually. It was not long before Alex remarked to his friends that he had stumbled into a winning lottery ticket. Each friend responded with the same message, Era is awesome, don't screw this up. Try as he may, Alex did not screw this up. Alex's appreciation for his beau grew as they criss-crossed the globe from adventure to adventure; from the fjords of Scandinavia to the dusty plateau of Giza. Finally the time came to ask the big question. Alex planned to carry Era across the threshold of their new Vermont home and immediately propose. Era, of course, had other ideas. Not being the patient sort, Era burst through the door eager to check out the new home. While exploring all the corners of the home with her trusty companion Willow, Era completely ignored the subtle coughs and clearings of the throat as Alex tried to get her attention. Eventually she turned around, smiled that beautiful smile and said YES! It has been a whirlwind ever since, exciting and exhausting. Every day Alex wakes up with a smile, even when it is 5:00 a.m. with Willow's paw on his face. The next year is sure to be exhilarating as they prepare to embark on the greatest adventure of their lives.

Era first "met" Alex when he liked her online profile on Hinge, a dating site, on February 18, 2018. A slew of online messages followed, with Alex telling Era about his winter and being hit by a poop truck (true story). Interesting as their exchange was, it was a busy time for Era and their online conversation fizzled out after a couple of weeks. Fortunately for Era, Alex was persistent with a few hi there check ins. A big traveler, Era was especially intrigued when Alex told her about his bike trip through Europe that spring. After re-igniting the conversation, Era and Alex finally went on a real date on June 3, 2018. Era was both excited and relieved when she saw Alex in person, deciding he was much more handsome than his online profile photos (a rarity in online dating). The two had such a great time together that Era threw Alex right into the fire by asking him to come out for her birthday on June 12th and meet her friends. Alex was a good sport and all her friends liked him. Alex in turn invited her to meet his friends at a 4th of July barbecue he was having. Not only was Era impressed by his cooking, but she also liked his friends - another sign that hey, this guy is pretty great. Era and Alex continued their romance with a rapid succession of trips, first to Sweden and Finland that fall, followed by Belgium, Portugal, and France over the winter holidays, and Egypt in the spring. Era was smitten with this person who was just as excited to explore the world as she was. She was also impressed when he picked up scuba diving and skiing, both things she loves that were now hobbies they could enjoy together. Alex is thoughtful and cares deeply about those close to him and Era finds herself to be incredibly lucky to be included in that group. She could not ask for a better partner by her side as they continue through life together.

It was a long drive up to Vermont, first to Killington to pick up keys and then to Rochester to open the door to their new home away from home. While it was long for Era, it was even longer for Alex. He had a ring burning a hole in his pocket and a head filled with how he would propose. Readers of Our Story already know that Alex had it in his mind to carry Era across the threshold per her request, and then pop the question. Era said, "N'uh Uh, I'm going to burst into the house and run around excitedly and completely ignore my about to be fiancee." A couple of awkward coughs and a knee later, she said "YES" with a sparkle in her eye. They got to spend the weekend with their dog Willow, settling into their new getaway as a very happy newly engaged couple.