For those who haven't already heard the story (maybe a hundred times), Robert and Marin met in 1990, introduced by a friend.

Marin took guitar lessons from Robert, often wearing miniskirts and makeup to try to make a favourable impression on him. He was unmoved (and now insists that the teacher/student relationship wouldn't allow him to pursue anything romantic).[1]

Robert was in many ways a typical guy, and didn’t pick up on these signals (but it certainly sounds better this way in the retelling).[2]

They went on a road trip to see Robert's friend Chris graduate from college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Disenchanted with the vibe and out of money for drinks, they left a raucous party to sit on a wooden bridge above a train track. They talked. And talked. A train went by underneath, which was a much better atmosphere than the drunken menagerie from before.

Robert saw fireflies for the first time. It was a perfect moment for him.

“Perfect moment” has become a repeat theme with them.

One thing led to another and they started dating.

Like many good stories, there were complications, and Robert met and married someone else a few years later.

In January of 2023, Marin popped up on (a now-divorced) Robert's LinkedIn suggestions, he contacted her, and they started hanging out. One thing... well, we're big on "one thing led to another" in the Spalding-Untiedt continuum, and in December 2023, Robert asked Marin to marry him. She said yes, as is evidenced by your presence on this very website.

Despite being a daytime wedding, our theme is "fireflies," representing serendipity, wonder, and the constance of light.

[1] Marin wrote this, so Robert may tell you something very different. Take any revision with a grain of salt.

[2] Robert wrote this, so Marin may tell you something very different. Take any revision with a grain of salt.