Love in the Time of Corona: Scott and Billy
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 Billy Hicks ’22 and Scott Simmons.
Hi Billy and Scott! Welcome to Love in the Time of Corona. Let's get some deets about #Scilly. How did you two get together?
Scott: Hi Ben! Very modernly, we met through social media about two years ago when Billy was at UVA for undergrad and I was at Longwood. For a few months, our dates consisted of alternating travel from Charlottesville to Farmville on the weekends as we got to know each other. We moved in with each other last year when Billy started 1L.
Pictured: Billy and Scott dress up and dazzle in their suits and bowties. Photo Courtesy of Billy Hicks ‘22.
Has COVID-19 changed the dynamic of living together or your relationship at all?
Billy: To be honest, not really! We’d already been in a groove and had learned a lot about each other over the course the past year. We joke that we’ve been quarantining with each other for almost a year-and-a-half already. One dynamic that did change for a bit was that we went and lived with my family for a short period, but luckily coronavirus hasn’t affected us too much. We did get a puppy though!
*10-minute interview break to play with aforementioned puppy*
Fittingly, I’m going to need you guys to hit me with each other’s’ spirit animals.
Scott: Billy is a bee. He’s the most hardworking person I know and is always concerned with the welfare of everyone else in his “hive.”
Billy: Scott would be a dog. I know, it’s generic, but hear me out. Scott is always comfortable no matter what we do, as long as we’re together and having fun. He’s equally as excited to go new places as he is to stay home to cook or watch a movie with just us. For him, it’s not the activity, but the person.
A match made in animal heaven. Let’s jump back to Corona. It sounds like you two were able to adapt pretty quickly due to your prior pseudo-quarantine experience with each other. Do y’all have any practices in place to keep things running smoothly?
Scott: Well, even before coronavirus, we made it a practice to prioritize Billy’s school work. We were both realistic about the demands and importance that 1L would have for Billy, so we always tried to schedule plans around that and to be flexible if work ever became overwhelming.
Billy: More specific to coronavirus was our time with my family. It was strange to go from having just us to many others in the mix—our little routines and daily lives changed. We tried to be good at carving out time for ourselves though to preserve some of the stability.
Let’s do a lightning round! How would you each describe the other in a word or phrase?
Scott: Selfless. Billy will do anything for his friends and people who need his help. He’s also incredibly humble. Like I said, Billy is one of the hardest working and smartest people I know, but you would never hear that from him.
Billy: It’ll sound cheesy, but Scott’s perfect, at least in my eyes. He is such a joy and loves to have fun. He has this innate understanding of people almost immediately upon meeting them and uses that to make the fun inclusive for all. His emotional intelligence is off the charts. As he’s alluded to, I can get lost in my work sometimes. He’s the perfect person to remind me of the importance of staying balanced.
(Having had the privilege of being friends with #Scilly since undergrad, I second all of this). Best Charlottesville date spot?
Scott: Commonwealth Sky Bar downtown. It’s a cozy but elegant atmosphere that’s rare to find in Charlottesville.
Billy: Pippin. (Scott rolls his eyes). What? You don’t like going to Pippin with me? We go a lot. But it’s got as much wine as you want, beautiful Blue Ridge views, and just a great vibe. What’s not to love?
Wine about it, Scott. Sorry, that was bad. What’s the first activity you'll do or place you'll go once all the social restrictions are lifted?
Answer: Throw a big party! Just a big hurrah with everyone we love and care about.
Let's get abstract. Is there a feeling, sight, smell, image, color, etc., that you associate with each other? Why?
Billy: Long car trips. The first year of our relationship we always seemed to be in a car. We really settled into our road trip roles. I love driving, and he’s the perfect co-pilot. He’s always got the best music or podcast for the mood and trip.
Scott: Bowtie pasta. That was the first meal Billy cooked for me on one of our dates. He’s an amazing cook.
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?
Scott: Billy draws incredible people with great values to him because he is one of those people. I’m so thankful to be a part of that circle and to have met Billy and them.
Billy: I love you.
Scott (looking at Billy blankly): That’s it?? Kidding. I love you, too.
Thank you to Billy and Scott for keeping it #Scilly 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.
---
bes4cf@virginia.edu