Dylan and Ann first met during the summer of 2014 while they were both working at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Ann was a fresh out of college scenic design intern and Dylan was the associate technical director. Ann and Dylan were assigned a mission to drive 2 hours out in the country to go look at reclaimed barn wood (#spiritwood) and see if it was suitable for one of the sets of an upcoming production at Williamstown. Dylan remembers Ann as the intern, nicknamed "sunshine", who wore a romper and sandals to traverse through a tick filled field of overgrown tall grass and stacks of splintering barn wood (lesson learned a few splinters later). Ann thought Dylan's first name was "Luke" and proceeded to call him that for the most of the summer, and he let her, not correcting her for way too long of a time. A friendship was born. Fast forward a few months and Dylan (and their friend Jess!) moved across the street from Ann's apartment in NYC. Ann helped Dylan and Jess move in, and the three pretty much became inseparable since! Over the next several months they helped each other with projects (Dylan built the very first set that Ann ever designed in NYC!), took care of each other when they were sick, went on lots of late night walks discussing current affairs, had lots of game nights, shared pizzas while watching movies, etc. Eventually Jess posed the question to Ann, "I think Dylan has feelings for you - what do you think of him?".. and the rest is sort of history!

In the winter of 2015, Dylan worked up the courage to ask Ann out on a date. As one could expect after about 6 months of a solid friendship, the two were a bit nervous about shifting their relationship to something more than just a friendship. Jess even spent the afternoon running back and forth across the street helping them both pick out their outfits and giving them pep talks to calm their nerves. Dylan showed up at Ann's door with flowers, the two went to dinner at what is now one of their favorite restaurants, The Park, and spent the evening listening to jazz music at Dizzy's Coca Cola Jazz Club. That evening after dropping Ann back her apartment, Dylan called his mom to tell her that he's found the one! (remember this for later!) Their second "date" was.. let's say less traditional.. and ended up becoming a trip to the hospital where Ann had an endoscopy and Dylan had to be her designated driver home after the procedure. Unbeknownst to Ann (#anesthesia), the doctors called Dylan back to look at the photos of her intestines (so romantic, right? #sarcasm) and Dylan's first interaction with Ann's parents was a phone call reporting to them what the doctors said. Dylan taped the printed photos of Ann's intestines on the fridge. And if that isn't true love then we don't know what is!

After 5 years of growing together, sharing together, learning together, and deeply loving each other, and in a year of such uncertainty, one thing remained certain: their commitment to each other. So, on August 01, 2020, Dylan packed a picnic and the two drove up to Harriman State Park where they found the most picture perfect spot nestled between trees overlooking a lake with the rolling mountains in the distance. They spent the evening talking about the life they have had together so far and of their dreams for their future together. At sunset, Dylan began with saying that he had so many plans to propose and each time he was a bout to do it, something disrupted the plans- covid and leaving the city for months as a result being the latest. He wanted the moment to be perfect. Ann replied that there will always be something happening in the world around them but that the moment he decides to ask her would be the perfect moment no matter what because all she wants is to marry him and nothing would make her happier. Dylan paused then replied, "well, what about today?" ....and in true 'Ann fashion' of unknowingly always almost accidentally ruining her own surprises, she (who had been waiting for years for this moment) very unaware and nonchalantly replied "well, maybe not today... (her sister did just have a special day trying on wedding dresses for her own wedding that day after all! - shout out to the future Mr and Mrs Garcia!)" Dylan turned white, took a deep breath and said "You are so smart and thats one of the reasons why I love you but (he said laughing) leave it to you to almost ruin your own engagement! With the blessing I received from your parents, I'm going to do this now anyways!" Dylan showed Ann a piece of scrap paper that his mom had written on and kept from 5 years ago. It read "02.24.15-Dylan meets Ann-the 'best' he will marry." Then Dylan got down on one knee, said some beautiful things, and proposed. Ann cried and of course said "Yes!"

It takes a village and our relationship and lives together have certainly been enriched by the love that we have felt from the family and friends around us. We're lucky to have you all in our life and are so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in the mountains! #LukeWhosMarryingAnn #LukeIAmYourWife