Ben Stievater ‘22
Events Editor
Although it’s been nearly six months, many aspects of our “new normal” continue to present challenges that can be strange and frustrating to face. From sitting next to someone in class to hitting Bar Review, things that once seemed a given feel far away, or at least vastly different behind a mask and six feet apart. We’ve been forced to connect more creatively in our professional, personal, and—we’ll say it, you smokeshows, you—romantic lives. Indeed, like a professor explaining the holding five minutes past the bell, love continues on, so we at the Law Weekly thought it would be intriguing, pleasantly distracting, and (dare we say it) heartwarming to hear how couples and singles alike are handling romance in light of all these changes. You've heard of Love in the Time of Cholera, but get ready for Love in the Time of Corona.
This week's guests are Emily Allen ’22 and Luke Versweyveld ’22.
Hi Emily and Luke (not even going to attempt that last name)! Welcome to Love in the Time of Corona. Let's start with some basics. How and when did you two meet?
Luke: Hi Ben! Our sections had Crim together during 1L. If I’m being honest, I noticed her in October and developed a little crush, but I never acted on it. Over winter break, I was asked to start a One for the World chapter at UVA—see our informational blurb in the paper this week!—and was looking for a co-president. Emily was the first to respond to my message in the Law School-wide Groupme, and naturally I was ecstatic. We met up for coffee a few times to discuss the organization, but we kept it professional.
Emily: He was so serious and cold during coffee! I was dropping hints he never picked up on.
Luke: How was I to know?! Anyways, we saw each other across the room at Barristers a few weeks later and then spent the night close by each other. When her feet got tired, I gave her a piggyback on the Downtown Mall to the after party. I asked her out the following Monday and we began dating a week later.
That’s like ten meet-cutes rolled into one, y’all. Save some for the rest of us. Let’s talk COVID. What’s your relationship been like during it? Most challenging parts? Silver linings?
Emily: We had only been dating for two-and-a-half weeks when things started to close down, so we’ve spent the majority of our relationship in this weird world. A silver lining of it all is that it’s fast-tracked things so much. We’ve spent so much more time together than we would have—we were originally going to be on opposite coasts this summer but ended up being here in Charlottesville together. We lucked out; it would have been weird to navigate only dating for two-and-a-half weeks and then going our separate ways during quarantine.
Luke: As for challenges, we really haven’t encountered much. It wasn’t too daunting “fast-tracking” things. We were very straightforward about the level of relationship we foresaw ourselves having from the get-go. That talk really helped us navigate things and make decisions together.
Pictured: I mean, wow, these two literally scream Hallmark movie. Plus, they'd probably win an Oscar for most attractive duo. Photo Courtesy of Emily Allen '22.
I may pitch your relationship as a Hallmark movie. Let me get some character development if I do—how would you each describe the other in a word or phrase?
Emily: Luke is motivated and a go-getter. He knows what he wants and takes practical steps to reach those goals, like starting Heartland ’Hoos (the Midwestern law students organization) because there wasn’t a student interest group for his desired legal market. Luke goes out and does, without making excuses. I love it.
Luke: Emily is the most passionate person I’ve met, she’s not lukewarm about anything. It’s impressive to see how much she cares about things and how she lights up. It’s really inspiring.
Sorry to hear she’s not LUKEwarm, tough break. Eh? Eh? Let’s do a lightning round. Best Charlottesville date spot?
Emily: Bebedero on the Downtown Mall! It’s got great guac and fun cocktails.
Couple’s costume this (socially distant and safe) Halloween?
Luke: Johnny and Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek.
You’ve got the brows for it, Luke. Let’s go Buzzfeed on this interview. Pick a beverage category and choose which one each other are.
Emily: Wine, because we drink so much of it. Luke is a Cab Franc because it’s his favorite, but also because it’s slightly boujee and smooth like him.
Luke: Emily is a spicy Cab Sav. Kind of feisty.
It’s not lukewarm anymore, folks. What’s your song as a couple?
Emily: Anything by Kacey Musgraves. I never listened to or liked country music before Luke, but now I love her.
Dream quarantine location?
Luke: Upstate New York or New England in a small town during peak fall. It’s on the books for 3LOL fall break.
First thing you’ll do when life goes back to normal?
Emily: Hit a concert or a music festival. Luke was supposed to see Khalid but it was cancelled, so we’ll probably circle back. Also, I just want to see all my friends at once, be able to run up and hug them, and to hit Virg with them. I miss Bar Review.
Luke: We also want to travel to Singapore or somewhere big!
When I close my eyes at night, I see an open Virg table waiting to be danced atop. Anyways, what’s your favorite memory together?
Emily: We went to his family’s farm in Wisconsin this summer and one night we went for a walk down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. I’d never seen the stars and moon shine that bright. It was super romantic and wonderful.
It’s a literal movie with you two. Let's get abstract. Is there a feeling, sight, smell, image, color, etc., that you associate with each other? Why?
Emily: Luke smells like coffee all the time, but in a good way. We drink a lot together, him a concerning amount sometimes.
Luke: Warmth. Emily’s so comforting and the person I always turn to when I’m in need.
The dialogue is writing itself. Last question: What is one thing you would want to say, in public, possibly in front of the whole Law School (or at least our readership), to each other?
Emily: I’m really thankful and lucky to be in a relationship that’s both very romantic and serious, but also so fun and exciting. Every day it feels like we’ve just started dating and I feel like I’ve won the lottery. I love you, Luke.
Luke: This year has obviously been really hard in a lot of ways, but it’s also been the best year of my life thanks to Emily. I love you, too, Emily.
Many thanks to Emily and Luke for helping me begin my romantic-comedy screenwriting career with this interview and joining us on Love in the Time of Corona! Are you a couple that’s been separated or getting creative during this social isolation period? A single who’s desire to mingle has been curtailed by COVID-19? A platonic friend or member of a family who wants to share how you’ve been making it through this together? Love comes in all shapes and sizes, and we want to hear about it! Email bes4cf@virginia.edu if you or someone you know might like to be featured on Love in the Time of Corona.
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bes4cf@virginia.edu