The short story: we met on Hinge and bonded instantly over science, adventure, and happily trapping each other in very niche conversations. But here are the highlights.

In late 2022, Ben and Emma matched on Hinge, right as Emma temporarily quit the internet for three months.

Meanwhile, Ben moved from Dartmouth to NYC for his post-doc at MSK, adopted an impossibly cute (but very sick) kitten named Penicillin (“Peni”), and embarked on a 12-week journey of administering illegal cat medication obtained via Facebook. Feeling he deserved something nice, he finally followed up with the girl he’d matched with back in the fall.

In January, Emma, now back on the internet, saw Ben’s message, and suggested drinks at The Jeffrey. They hit it off over Ben’s research, Emma’s science writing, and a mutual love of cycling.

When Ben told her about the illegal cat drugs, Emma decided this was either madness or true devotion—either way he probably could use another set of hands.

They went on some more dates, then a trip to Vermont where they went on some epic rides, swam in a creek, Ben got food poisoning, and Emma crashed her mountain bike ~13 times on one ride. They had a great time.

On the way home, the tire nearly fell off the rim of Emma’s Mini Cooper. As they sat on the side of the highway in Greenfield Massachusetts, they knew they had something good going on.

So here we are three years later: Peni is cured. The car has a new tire. Ben and Emma have been on many more successful cycling trips to Vermont. And now we’re excited to have you, all the people we love most in the world, join us in Arlington this summer!

P.S. Two sets of hands really do help with illegal cat drugs.