We met in the middle of a moment the world will never forget—during COVID, working in Emergency Child Care at the JCH. In a time filled with uncertainty, we somehow found something sure and steady in each other. Mike always looked forward to the days Victoria worked; seeing her walk through the door instantly made everything feel a little lighter. And Victoria quietly started arriving a bit earlier each morning, just to share a few extra minutes with Mike before the day began. What began as small conversations in a very unusual world slowly grew into something steady, comforting, and full of joy. Even in the middle of a pandemic, we found each other—and we’ve been choosing each other ever since.

After an afternoon at the Botanical Gardens, Mike suggested they take a stroll through Prospect Park. As they crossed the bridge near the Prospect Park Boathouse—where a wedding happened to be taking place—Mike stopped and proposed. The moment was simple, genuine, and perfect. After she said yes, Mike brought Victoria to a nearby spot by the lake, where a picnic with champagne and roses was waiting. It was a beautiful, thoughtful beginning to their next chapter together.