Betsy and Patryk met by chance at the birthday party of Patryk’s friend, Piotrek, who Betsy barely knew at the time.

Betsy met Piotrek, Patryk’s friend, when he was her waiter at the famous Daniel Boulud restaurant in the city, Daniel. Betsy noticed Piotrek’s Polish accent and told him she lived in Greenpoint. Piotrek said he did too, and Betsy said “what’s your favorite restaurant in Greenpoint? Mine is Amber Steakhouse.” (Betsy had been going for years to Amber, and had in fact made several boyfriends take her there for special occasions, but of course had never met it’s executive chef, Chef Patryk Czenczek.)

Piotrek said he loves Amber as well, and in fact he used to work there, and he is having his birthday party there later that week, and invited Betsy to the party.

Betsy showed up to the party later that week, excited to make new friends in the neighborhood. When she realized everyone was having fun and speaking in Polish, she didn’t want to be a damper on the flow of conversation so she excused herself to the bathroom and proceeded to do her makeup for a very long time.

By the time she left the bathroom, the whole party had left to go to a bar! But Patryk, the handsome stranger who she had not even met but had seen across the room, was waiting for her.

Ever since that night we've been together
Lovers at first sight, in love forever
It turned out so right
For strangers in the night

— Frank Sinatra,

Strangers in the Night