"Hello, I think you're handsome." Just like that, what I felt was the biggest bombing of a situation turned into the official beginning of our love story. 

We were on the rooftop of Ponce City Market on a chilly and clear night in December (December 12, 2023, to be exact).  Both belonging to the Greater Atlanta Chapter of ATD, we were there for an end-of-the-year party. As I prepared for my presentation that night, I saw a sliver of salt and pepper with a green bomber jacket. Unfortunately, my nerves would not allow me to pay much attention. I made it through my presentation, occasionally glancing to my left to see the dapper gentlemen who engaged with other guests. 

After the presentation, I asked a mutual friend about the gentlemen clustered at the table in the far corner, in hopes that I would find out more information about Mr. Salt & Pepper. As he was about to answer the question, our conversation was interrupted by a request for committee pictures. 

Upon my return, the mutual friend was enthralled in conversation with another and Mr. Salt & Pepper as I called him, stood at a table alone, fidgeting through his phone. I took a deep breath and decided to just introduce myself. In my mind, I rehearsed that I would say, "Hello, my name is Pamela". After I felt confident, I agreed that I'd talk on three. On the count of two, he looked up from his phone and took me aback. Instead of saying my planned script, I blurted out, "Hello, I think you're handsome." The heat that radiated from my body from embarrassment led me to instantly walk away thinking, "Great, I blew it." He immediately grabbed my arm and with a laugh like rolling thunder, he pulled me back and replied, "Hello, my name is Tim, but you've probably seen it in Slack as Peter". The conversation continued for a bit before saying our goodbyes. He asked to call me later that night, which I declined because it was late. 

We spoke two days later and the rest has been history. Our first date was December 22, 2023, at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights Museum. His ability to be a gentleman coupled with his vast knowledge of American and world history was impressive. Other dates followed and soon we became inseparable. On Friday, May 10, 2024, we declared our love and commitment to one another in matrimony at the Historic Courthouse with the support of some of our closest loved ones.