Connect How did your love story begin?

We fell in love over two semesters of Studio Recording class at the Belfer Recording Studio at Syracuse University. The final group project was always to record a song independently in the studio. The first semester, we covered “Terrible Love” by The National, and the second, we covered “When I’m With You” by Best Coast. While most people want to kill their classmates after a group project, we had so much fun we started dating!

What is your favorite memory you've shared as a couple?

In summer 2023, we were in Portland, Oregon for a family memorial service. We decided to take a day (Maria’s birthday) to heal and drive out to the Oregon coast. We out drove a wildfire, saw endless tunnels of green and the most dramatic cliffs. We rode horses over the dunes, saw elk loping over the mountains, and listened to The Decemberists while driving Route 1 West all night long. An epic odyssey after years of COVID isolation and family losses.

What would you do with $20,000?

First we would finish paying for our wedding: an intimate bohemian wedding ceremony in Woodstock, NY, followed by a grungy dance party in Boston, MA. Next we would put funds towards our music careers. Maria takes continual voice lessons, and pays for pianists and coaches to prepare music in Italian, French and German for gigs. Iain’s band, Vacuist, is in the midst of recording their next EP, and is touring Maine this summer. We would also make a charitable gift to Family of Woodstock, est. 1970.