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While the authors duly note the time, place, and importance of this event, they fail to capture the complexity and—might I suggest—arduousness of the journey, at least for one Devin Daniels, as he found his way to Philly in 2014, starting life almost from zero after sojourns as far and enchanting as Seoul, South Korea and Penn State University. Over a decade of cycling, data entry, and academic study followed before on one fortuitous day (the day of his dog Zurich’s birth, no less) he met Lilian for a first date at the Fountain Porter, which he would later, in various group chats and text threads, describe as “the best first date of [his] life.”

 

In the subsequent weeks and months, the many clichés his friends and confidants had offered proved true: it really was just a matter of finding the right person, the most amazing person of all. Their lives became entwined with the most magical luck, from Lily’s 108-year-old cat accepting Zurich and, somehow, not even setting off Devin’s allergies, to the way, on their first trip together to New Orleans, the rain would literally stop every time they had to step outside.

 

And that’s not to mention what’s easy to take for granted: Lily’s beauty, humor, acute aesthetic perception, emotional intelligence, handiness around the house, and in-depth knowledge of WWII. Devin doesn’t know what he’d do without her, and, luckily, he doesn’t have to.

I have read the abstract and find it accurate, if a little formal for two people who met over beer and are getting married at a nightclub. A few notes:

The authors describe Philadelphia as the city where they’ve “met, known, and celebrated.” Sentimentality aside, this recounting leaves out the large sinkhole that opened up in South Philly the day of their first date, or that they kissed for the first time standing next to it. A more ambitious analysis would have addressed the state of the city’s roads and infrastructure.

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The abstract also cites their journeys as “becoming one.” I can confirm the process was well underway by the night they agreed to be boyfriend and girlfriend, walking back to Devin’s place from an M. Night Shyamalan orchestra. In the name of rigorous scholarship, Author 1 (Devin) should note that he asked whether it was too soon to broach exclusivity. Author 2 (Lily) must in turn acknowledge her response: “No, I find it highly appropriate.” Both said “I love you” for the first time minutes later, though I defer to the editors on whether this detail merits a footnote.

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My primary concern is that the authors have understated both their findings and the depth of their love. They also fail to mention Devin's charm, brilliance, thoughtfulness, and perfect Al Pacino eyes. Recommendation: accept pending minor revisions.