Jeff and I met at Rockwood Music Hall back in 2009!

Stamford, CT wasn't much of a fun town in my twenties, so I used to I drive down to Manhattan every night after my day job seeking inspiration in the form of art, music, and the creative people that were out there making these things!

Many of my friends from college played music on the Lower East Side (at Cake Shop, Living Room Lounge, Sidewalk Cafe) and they invited me to check out Rockwood Music Hall. I quickly fell in love with this teeny, tiny, dark bar, that barely fit 20 people inside. The lighting was always warm, lit by candlelight, and they had Chimay at the bar (my drink of choice at the time). One of the things I loved the most was that the audience was full of people who were deeply into listening to the music- unlike other bars you go to where people talk over the music. Not Rockwood! It was a passionate little place for people who genuinely enjoyed music and wanted to make a living doing it. I started going so often that I made close friendships with all the regulars and became a regular myself. I even started filming the bands that would play there just for fun.

One night, my friend Paula Valstein introduced me to her musician friend Jeff! I had short red hair at the time and she introduced me as "Holly Danger", a name that was just starting to stick! I remember chatting with Jeff who was so friendly, funny and smart, and he started flirting...HARD! :) He told me he was a graphic and web designer so we instantly had a lot in common, and he even made up a fake design club that he said he was meeting up with weekly, just so he could invite me to go! I even went to a club meeting!! LOL.

We started instant messaging each other online late at night. I guess we both had the habit of staying up until 4am back then. I think this is where we really started to get to know each other. If I'm correct, after about a year of just being friends, on May 16th, Jeff invited me out on our first date to go see Daniel Johnston play at the Highline Ballroom. We had drinks at the infamous Schiller's bar (RIP!) and discussed our mutual love for the Monkee's and Digable Planets! I had never met a guy who was so down to earth, someone I could be entirely myself around, and we had so many interests in common. I remember seeing the postcards on his fridge in his apartment full of music and movie quotes that resonated:

"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans"

- John Lennon

Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left album played in the background, and I thought how lucky I was to be with someone who loved the same music I did. Music went so deep for me! When I hugged Jeff for the first time I felt like I'd known him forever.

There is so much more to our journey that I could share, as it's been 16 years of Jeff and I growing and supporting each other into the awesome humans we are today, but I'll never forget those first few dates, the things we bonded over early on, and how strong we are together as a team. I'm so beyond grateful to have met this person who I get to call my husband on July 25th!

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