It was the beginning of August 2015, and both AJ and Alisha were sitting in their respective apartments on opposite sides of the East River, engaged in the tried and true Sunday night tradition of swiping left and right on Tinder. It was a match! A short exchange of messages followed, and they found themselves sitting at a wine bar under the Queensboro Bridge (which would later become a favorite running route of the two) a few days later. Within five minutes of their first meeting, AJ asked Alisha, "What do you call a pile of kittens?" and after a short pause, Alisha answered, "A meow-ntain." They were as smitten as a pile of kittens. The rest is history. Sidenote: It was AJ's birthday.

AJ tried to make it a surprise. Truly, he did. But quite by accident, Alisha stumbled upon the information that he was planning to propose on Friday, October 6th at the couple's favorite restaurant, Dutch Kills Centraal. However, nothing could have been more special than dinner at their regular neighborhood dinner haunt, a personalized menu, champagne and hors d'oeurves on the house, and the most beautiful speech and proposal ever imaginable. AJ asked Alisha to marry her, and through her tears, she said, "Yes!" After a romantic and delicious meal, AJ suggested that the newly engaged couple celebrate with a drink at a nearby rooftop bar. Alisha, loving the idea of a glass of champagne and rooftop views, immediately agreed. When they arrived, Alisha was shocked to find that their family and friends were all there, ready to begin celebrating the new chapter that she and AJ were about to embark on!