How did you meet?

A: We met at trivia; we were on rival teams. You were on the better team.

ML: I wouldn’t say that..

A: Black Warrior Brewing, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 2018. We were competitors but after the trivia games we’d talk and that’s how we got to know each other. I noticed that you always made me laugh (ML: I don’t know how)...because you’re funny! We’re both from Marietta, both love the Beatles' music; Spenser (trivia host) played some weird Russian pop songs at the end and I remember you were into it and I thought it was great.

What was your first date and how did you feel afterward?

ML: Record Store Day…even though it wasn’t an official date. After that day, I felt pretty confident that I wanted to be with you. Between waiting in a long line to get records and then live music, the Inman Park Gnome Parade…

A: You caught your favorite colored koozie at the parade! And we went home and listened to records. It was kind of make or break…do we have what it takes? And, yes!

When did you know that they were the one?

ML: It was a process, but I remember thinking one time when I was getting ready to drive up to your place in Kennesaw, it was a school night and I was tired, but I remember thinking “I really want to be with him.” Then I was like I really want to be with this person all of the time.

A; Yea the converse would be I don't get to see Mary Louise and that’s a bummer.

ML: Also that time we went to Athens for New Years to see Kishi Bashi in concert; it was again a reminder that I want to be with this person more than most people.

A: More than anybody.

What’s your favorite thing about the other person?

A: A couple of things--I like the way you tell stories, the things you’re passionate about. I’ll smile for days after just how you told it. The other thing I really love about you is that you genuinely care for people; you have a big heart, and it's not something I see very often. Maybe the best quality in a person and you got it.

ML: A few things too--just how you are with your family and the priorities you put on that time with them; it’s not something you see often in other families (besides my own); I thought maybe it’s just an unusual thing that I enjoy being with my family. And you are just doing everything to make it happen for yours. Also, that you are just easy to be with; it’s not difficult! We’re friends and enjoy many of the same things, but it’s also just not hard. Not that we don’t have to work on our relationship, but it’s not as hard.

A: We were friends first, and in addition to our love, we still have our friendship.

What’s your favorite thing to do together?

ML: Initially we were concert bros…

A: Listening to records as we’re doing now. It has to be the music listening.

ML: I haven’t really been around people that like to just sit around and listen to music, and talk about it.

A: Playing music together; I don’t have many people to do that with and I get to do it with you.

ML: And you’ve made me appreciate cooking more; it’s not boring anymore.

What’s something that surprised you about the other person as you were getting to know them?

ML: One thing related to cooking–you've said that you’re not as observant to detail, but with cooking you are hyper-aware, very attentive to every detail. You were so intent–in a good way. You’re like your mom; you follow a recipe but she knows how to do things so well without needing a recipe. I see that when you have your kids over, that is your love expression.

A: The way you care about people–that was probably the surprise. You genuinely do care; it’s inspiring. You put in a lot of work on friendships.

How would you describe the other person in three words?

A: Full of life

ML: steadfast, true, kind

What do you admire about the other person?

ML: I admire that you will tell me things truthfully even though you’ve figured out how to read me and what I want. You’re true to yourself and what you believe and what’s important to you.

A: I have to say the same. I genuinely respect you as a person, so that helps.

What’s something you wish everyone knew about the other person?

A: You put it out there; I feel like from the moment we met playing trivia, I got a good sense of who you were. I don’t think I have secret knowledge; everyone who knows you, knows you well.

ML: I feel the same way; you project your true self in any situation. You're comfortable in your own skin; you may not like being in a big room with a lot of people, you're still yourself. I wish people knew how talented you are as a musician. That’s something you hide away sometimes and I wish people knew more. Maybe I have to secretly record you and submit your songs to a radio station--then they'll know!

What are you looking the most forward to as a married couple?

A: I have this certainty that this is going to work; life is going to get easier and more pleasant. It’s just something I know. This is what I’ve been like--a float with no sails. But now I can be, we can be!

ML: If I use the same metaphor—I’ve sailed around and around and had a lot of great experiences, but didn’t have an anchor in a partner. I'm looking forward to having a stable home with someone that I can build a future with. Because I’ve always wanted that.

Where do you hope you’ll be as a couple in 20 years?

ML: I hope we’re sitting on a rocking chair eating boiled peanuts...

A: I hope we’re still playing tennis...

ML: That too! Just have our life together wherever we are.

A: I’d like to be the toast of the town in whatever town we land.

ML: I’d also like to be in a community of people we can learn from and support.

Registry