It all began one chilly November in Washington DC while we were engaging in one of our favorite weekend activities: attending immuno-oncology conferences. Obviously, we attended the conference with only one goal in mind: to save the world by funding the best oncology drugs, and nothing else. But then dinner happened. Well, everyone needs to eat dinner, and since we were introduced by a mutual friend MG (who, needless to say, also has the same life goal in mind and was introducing us so that we can, together, find the best oncology ideas to fund), we decided to have dinner together.
Matt: After only a few minutes in, I realized this work dinner was going to be different; I was less interested in talking about cytokines or deal flow, and more interested in learning about the stunning sophisticated scientist sitting in front of me – a true unicorn in my eyes (in a totally non-creepy, work appropriate way of course).
Carolyn: Firstly, I was surprised that this ex-Doc was actually quite normal; and secondly, as this 1.5h work dinner slowly turned into 5h, I realized that I was still there – and increasingly intrigued (in a totally non-creepy, work appropriate way of course) by this normal biotech VC who seemed to know a lot more in life than biotech.
(And no, this picture was NOT taken the evening we first met.)
Fast forward 12 months to a much warmer November in Hawaii; after surprising Carolyn at work with plane tickets (and Carolyn setting a personal record for packing a travel bag in under half an hour), we were off for a relaxing long weekend – or so she thought. At this point, we had been dating for a year, although technically speaking 10 months given the 2 months of serious courtship (since come on, who dates someone you meet at an oncology medical conference straightaway), but someone requested for “accelerated vesting” so it was officially our one-year anniversary.
Wanting privacy (so Matt could give his “10 things I love about Carolyn” speech without turning into an emotional mess in front of the masses) and wanting to enjoy the entire weekend as a *fingers-crossed* happily engaged couple, Matt didn’t waste much time after landing.
When he dropped down on one knee with the prettiest ring to pop the question, Carolyn was ready with her answer - she knew that Matt, who despite being an Eagles fan was now wearing her favorite Patriots jersey to propose, is the love of her life.
They now look forward to living the rest of their lives together, and reverting back to the more traditional oncology conference experience.