We crossed paths a few times and didn’t think much of it. I grew up with Gerard’s best friend Brian and always heard about this guy they all called “Dutch” but never really met him until my best friend Katie (who was dating Brian) and I visited Brian and Gerard (aka Dutch) in Buffalo while Katie and I were in town for a Justin Timberlake concert. A few months later and without much contact in the meantime, Dutch came to Rochester and invited me to go out with him and a couple of his friends that I barely knew. Usually, it’s an easy “no” for this introvert to agree to do those types of things but for some unknown reason, this time I thought, sure - why not! Looking back, this random night became the first night that we would be known as “Dutch and Alex” and the last of the nights in which either of us would know a life without the other. Dutch and I went on to become the Best Man and Maid of Honor in Katie and Brian’s wedding and now we are so excited that it is our turn to get married and continue this amazingly wonderful journey together and with all of you!

It was 7:30am on our Pandemic Christmas morning. I was playing with our pups Kip and Sadie, when Dutch took my hand and brought me closer to the Christmas tree. He started saying some of the nicest things I’ve ever heard before and the plans he hoped to have for our future together which fortunately, sounded quite similar to ones I had envisioned as well. Then before I could really understand what was happening – he was down on one knee with the most beautiful ring I had ever seen and he asked me to marry him. It was the easiest “YES” I could ever answer and truly one of the most magical moments either of us had ever experienced. The rest of the day was filled with enjoying each others' company, celebrating our newfound titles of "fiancé" and making quite a few zoom calls to share the exciting news with others - most of whom thought we were just calling to wish them a Merry Christmas….