Alicia and Joe met each other at 1 pm on a Monday in room 301 of the Adanti Student Center at Southern Connecticut State University. Joe sat towards the back of the room while the radio station meeting commenced. Up in the front, sat Alicia. She periodically turned around and smiled towards the back of the room, little did these two strangers know their lives had just changed for the better.
Joe and Alicia were involved in several clubs at SCSU. They both participated in the Radio, WSIN 1590 AM, Southern's Independent Radio Station, and Habitat for Humanity. During Joe's freshman year, they attended a Habitat Alternative Spring Break Trip to New Jersey, but alas, were just friends. The following year, Joe joined the Habitat e-board with Alicia and hosted his own radio show, in which Alicia was the Programming Director. The two began to see each other more regularly; a strong friendship started blooming.
On November 9th, 2015, the friends ascended a staircase, after Joe asked Alicia to go on a walk with him. As they walked Joe asked Alicia about her plans for the upcoming Friday night. She said that she may have plans with another friend from the radio station. Joe was not stalled, he immediately said, "Well, I wanted to see if you wanted to get dinner with me." Alicia agreed, to Joe's excitement. The two quickly told their friends about the conversation. Alicia asked her friends to confirm if Joe had in fact asked her out; while Joe's friends were skeptical if he actually asked her on a "date." Luckily, as they both pondered the question, Joe texted Alicia (during her class) and said "You knew I was asking you out, right?" in which she replied "Yes, of course!"
Alicia picked Joe up from his dorm at Chase Hall. They drove to Downtown New Haven, where they got the student discount on tacos at Salsa Fresca. The two talked the night away and made their way to Insomnia Cookies while holding hands.
Much time had passed. The two became part of each other's families. They grew stronger and stronger in friendship and love. They took trips to Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, and Acadia National Park. In September of 2020, they grew their family by 4 paws, welcoming Fender Stratocaster Sandy Amarante-Avino (soon to be Fender Stratocaster Sandy Amarante) into their lives. A highly energetic, yet curious, Mini Australian Shepard/Shiba Inu, he is the goodest of boys.
Since the start of their relationship, the two had been volunteering at an annual nonprofit event called the Trees of Hope, for the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, which took place from the end of November to early December. A beautiful event with decorated tress and friendly faces, Joe always knew that this would be the place he would propose to Alicia. Yet, Alicia had to wait, perhaps longer than anticipated, for this fateful day. Unbeknownst to her, plans were already in motion come January 2021. A ring was forged in the fires of Mordor... oh wait, wrong story... but a ring was purchased, and a location for the proposal known. Joe even enlisted help from the Event Coordinators of the Trees of Hope and had them send an email asking them to come early to help setup the event. The goal being to get Alicia not to suspect something awry and to give Joe the opportunity to create a beautiful surprise.
Then, disaster struck. While out on a holiday stroll with her family, Alicia joked that her nephew was bothering her and she would not give him any cousins. He looked up at her an said, "Ok auntie, I already know Joe got you a ring." Her sister quickly stepped in and made her believe he had no idea what he was talking about. Of course, she was heartbroken, but she had no idea that surprise coming her way. When Joe heard about this, he immediately thought to himself, "All this time, playing dumb, waited, ruined." But really, she was clueless.
On the morning of December 4th, 2021, with a ring in Joe's left coat pocket, the plan was in motion. They drove to 555 Long Wharf Drive. Upon arrival they were asked by the Event Coordinators if they wanted to go look around or head right to their volunteer spot. Joe knew exactly where he wanted to go, and guided Alicia to the biggest tree in the building. He joked about it being his favorite, just as he did every year, while he checked to see if his accomplices' cameras were ready. When he got the nod, he got down on his knee and pulled out his ring. Alicia's first words, on repeat were "Are you serious? You're not serious?" Then Joe replied, "Yes, I am serious. Obviously I want to marry you, so what are you going to say?" Alicia was shocked but still realized he hadn't actually asked the question, but nonetheless quickly replied "What am I going to say? Of course!" Thus, this tale has brought you here. See you April 29th, 2023! Love, Alicia Avino and Joe Amarante #almostamarante Edited by Jennifer Bishop (Maid of Honor Extraordinaire)