It all started on a Thursday night at Deadwood Tavern

We met like all true millennials—searching for love in a dating app. We both advertised travel stories, hopes for the future, and photos of our cats. We both agreed that the next best step was meeting at Iowa City’s finest establishment, Deadwood. We were both tired and unsure, but things clicked together, like a key to its’ lock.

Emily’s Side

I was out on a school night, going to see some guy I met on a dating app at one of the dingiest bars in Iowa City. He was there first, and the second I saw him, I thought, “Oh shit. He’s cute.”

He was more than just cute though—a witty, caring person who was truly interested in our conversation. Even with so much unknown, everything felt aligned in that moment.

Cory’s Story

Driving back from a night shift at Burlington’s ER, I got a notification from Emily, and I suggested we meet at Deadwood to get to know each other. One month in, and I asked her to pick me up from O’Hare, and we took our first trip away from home.

As soon as we got home, she asked me to put together an IKEA dresser, and we passed our first true relationship test. But I knew she was someone special beforehand — open to adventure, compassionate and understanding, an independent woman with a thousand stories to share.

A man taking a selfie on a mountain trail with a woman riding a horse behind him. The woman is smiling, wearing sunglasses and a backpack, with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Ruins of an ancient stone castle on a lush green hillside with yellow and blue flowers, under a cloudy sky.

And the rest is history

We took a trip to Georgia, Cory’s number one bucket-list trip. Cory planned a horseback ride into the mountains, and Emily was ready for the views. However, at the end of the trail, Cory pointed to a tower in the distance and said, after a two-hour ride, 'Let’s go up there.” Emily protested, replying with “Absolutley Not.”

Begrudgingly, we climbed the goat path up the hill to Zakagoris’ ruins. Emily was still huffing and puffing (Cory was too), and not yet willing to admit the view was worth the trouble. Catching his breath, Cory met eyes with the photographer they had met in Tbilisi just three days before, who pointed him to “the spot.”

His carefully laid plans all came together as he pulled Emily into position, reached into his pocket, and began a speech he had practiced for hours from the back of a horse..

She said yes. He forgot to kneel.

Two people talking among ancient ruins with old stone walls, surrounded by green grass, with mountain scenery in the background.
Two people holding hands and standing close together among ancient stone ruins, with green mountains and snow patches in the background.
A man and woman stand outdoors near ancient stone ruins, engaging in conversation with each other.
A couple sharing a kiss among ruins of old stone walls in a green scenic landscape.
A man and woman stand close together outdoors, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes near a ruin made of stacked stones, with green grass and yellow flowers around them.
A man and woman standing outdoors among ruins, looking at a small object the man is holding, surrounded by green grass and yellow flowers.
A couple dancing outdoors among the ruins of an old brick structure, with green hills in the background.
A couple hugging outdoors near ruins with green hills in the background.
Two people hugging near an old stone ruin in a green, mountainous landscape.