In the fall of 2008, Marty was working in a small local coffee shop called The Sparrows.  He would stay there until well beyond midnight, sweeping the store free of espresso grounds and putting chairs on tables. It was a great job, but one that became more and more lonely as the nights wore on.

The week of October 1, 2008, was a busy one for Rachelle.  She was in the throes of exams and was staying up late to study.  She and her friends found themselves in need of caffeine and a place to study.

Marty already knew Natalie, Rachelle's best friend, who Marty had met earlier that week.  That night, though, Natalie had a friend with her.  Natalie introduced Rachelle to Marty, who then took her order.

Marty made Rachelle's Double Behemoth -- two shots of espresso with an equal amount of sweetened condensed milk -- and set it down on the counter.  He asked her what she was studying.  "Geology," she said.  

"Oh, I really like geology," Marty said.  "Especially glaciers."

Rachelle leaned against the counter.  "Did you know that there are rocks in Grand Rapids that were carried here from Canada in the body of a glacier?"

"No way!"

"Yeah, they're in a park somewhere in Grand Rapids.  I just went there with a class."

Rachelle then vowed to show Marty the glacial rocks.

Over the next few nights, Rachelle continued to come in to The Sparrows to study.  She and Marty continued to have increasingly interesting conversations on everything from interior decorating, to knit winter hats, to art-making.  They talked every night while Marty worked behind the counter, and they began to grow closer.  Rachelle convinced Marty that a two-hour drive to Ypsilanti to see Bruce Springsteen was a wise decision.  Marty tried and failed (and failed) to beat Rachelle at Boggle.  They went to the park to visit the glacier rocks and met several families of deer.  They fell in love.