From Anne: It's a Bronx and Brooklyn love story, really. We met 11 years ago by way of mutual friends at Bourbon Street Bar on the Upper West Side, where we would frequent on Thursdays for the $.50 beer special (conscious spending is what brings us together, truthfully). I approached Eddie at the bar and bought him $1.00 worth of beers, and we've been inseparable ever since. From Eddie: I first saw Anne during a program at Baruch College. I was there to support some frat brothers but couldn't keep my eyes off of the girl in the corner with the gorgeous smile and hair. A few weeks later we met at a bar with some friends. It was late and when I mentioned I needed to get going she offered to buy me a beer. Though the beers were only $.50 that night, I had never been offered a drink by a woman. She would be the first and last.

From Anne: We planned trip to the Dominican Republic in celebration of my dad's 60th birthday. A sneaky Eddie took advantage of a very busy Anne to plan our engagement - he knew that being heads down in planning meant that I would be out of his business. The day after my dad's birthday party we went Boca Chica for brunch at Boca Marina restaurant, where Eddie got down on one knee and asked me to marry him in front of my immediate family and one living grandparent. I'll never forgive myself for wearing a corduroy skirt but that moment will live in me forever. From Eddie: My first Idea was to try and get tickets for Saturday Night Live (Anne's favorite sketch comedy show) and ask her there, but I knew we had to get her family involved. My 2nd plan was to ask her during a walk on the NYC Highline and have some of her family members there to surprise her but this was during the winter and it was just too cold. Finally, it came to me! Anne's Father Ruben was celebrating his 60th birthday in Santo Domingo. So I asked for his blessing, and planned a brunch by the water in Boca Chica with her immediate family members and her grandma.

From Anne: This year has been challenging in so many ways but it has also allowed us to grow as partners. We learned patience and flexibility with the world and each other. We've gotten deeper. We've loved more freely. We've learned that discomfort means growth. We've reimagined our big day an infinite amount of times and we've held each other up in the process. I don't think I could have made it this year without Eddie by my side. He is my guiding light, my reason and my forever. From Eddie: The journey has been a long one, but I don't regret a single moment. We've been incredibly patient and forgiving with each other during this time because it's important to give your partner the space and grace to feel heard and understood, and that is a true testament of love and partnership. Sure there were some challenging times, but it only proved that Anne is my best friend, soulmate and the love of my life. I would live through 100 pandemics as long as it meant I would be by her side.