5.29.22

We think we first met our freshman year of college at Tulane, though it's possible we crossed paths at age 9 when we unknowingly attended the same sleep away camp. In New Orleans, we were always in the same group of friends, often taking Friday afternoon trips to NOLA Brewery, seeing live music at Tipitina's, or having parties at the notorious 700 Broadway house. After we graduated college, we both ended up in New York. One night when we were out with friends in Chelsea, after perhaps a few too many vodka sodas, Jesse surprised Amanda by telling her he thought their friendship could be something even more special. Fortunately, Amanda decided to take the risk after a little push from her mom, Maxine, and what started with weekend strolls around the West Village became date nights in search of the best of every cuisine in the city. We discovered a shared love of exploring new places, which led us everywhere from souks in Marrakesh to lobster joints in Maine. We eventually found an apartment together on a cute little corner by the park in Brooklyn, which we still call home.

Fast forward to July 2020. We’d talked about the next steps in our life together, but Amanda was convinced any engagement plans were indefinitely on hold due to the pandemic. On a beautiful, hot, summer Saturday we drove up to Lyndhurst Mansion, for what Amanda thought was our niece Summer’s 3rd birthday party -- just a small family picnic this year. At the top of a hill overlooking the Hudson River, with both of our families secretly awaiting us at the bottom, Jesse revealed that there was no 3rd birthday after all (sorry Summer!), got down on one knee, and asked Amanda to marry him! Despite a crazy, unimaginable, totally upside-down couple of years, we feel so fortunate to be safe, healthy, and able to spend and enjoy this time with each other. We cannot wait to hug and celebrate with all of you on May 29, 2022!