Looking way back to the first time Rebecca and Anthony met… it was a Paramus Catholic homecoming dance in 2013. Anthony was Gab’s date and childhood friend, and Gab is Rebecca’s best friend (and now Maid of Honor). Flash forward, they meet again at PCHS prom, where Anthony was Gab’s date, and they sat at the same table with Rebecca. They barely talked throughout these encounters, but regardless they are still pivotal moments in this love story. A few months later, the three ended up at the same college in upstate New York, Elmira College. Anthony and Rebecca graduated 4 short years later, remaining good friends throughout their time in Elmira. Until…that last 2 weeks of college… more specifically senior week in Atlantic City. Starting at Premier Night Club, to Harrah’s, and then to the dreaded Uber ride… where Rebecca lost her phone 2 hours before the bus was leaving back to Elmira for graduation. Anthony saved the day (…and Tony a trip to AC and Elmira) by rescuing Rebecca’s phone from the Uber driver. No literally…snatched it from his crotch after he demanded $1K for the phone back. And thus, her knight in shining armor made sure she got on that bus with a phone in hand!!! The rest is history…the first “real” date to Steve’s Sizzling Steaks; all those nights out at Pier 13, $1 beers at Pour House, after 2 AM pizza slices at Basiles; surviving the pandemic years; first jobs, promotions, AND the fire academy (big yikes but we made it); adopting the sweetest doggo; and so many more amazing memories that brought us to this moment. The moment he PROPOSED!!!! For those who don’t know the story, Anthony pulled off the ultimate surprise by proposing in Puerto Rico right before their cruise took off. Vacation Rebecca was being especially difficult and interested in the beach, drinks and delicious local cuisines (basically wanted to do everything BUT get ready for this proposal). Anthony played along so well, Rebecca had no idea what was happening behind the scenes. He had help of course — Nicole (Anthony’s cousin and Rebecca’s bridesmaid) helped him orchestrate the most memorable proposal: from venue, photographer and violinist research, to post-proposal plans and reservations, traveling with the ring, finding the best spot, and probably so many more logistics. Eventually, Rebecca, Anthony, and the rest of the group arrived to Castillo San Filipe Del Morro, where we had the most perfect historic views overlooking the ocean. Rebecca thought the group had reservations for a speakeasy, which does not exist. But there was a violinist waiting for her just over the steps (Rebecca even commented on all of the live music in PR…so gullible). As they made their way over to “the spot” for a photo, Anthony shocked Rebecca as he turned to her and got down on one knee with a diamond ring. With tears in her eyes, she said “YES” before he could even fully ask the question. ❤️ We’d be remiss not to give a special shout out to the rest of the group in our proposal story — Nicole, Gab, Stacy, and Joe — for letting the proposal of a lifetime crash their vacation, and of course for their performance in making sure Rebecca was out of the loop the whole time. You succeeded, and it’s happening!! 🤪 Anyway, if you’re still reading, we appreciate how invested you are in our story. We wouldn’t be who we are without each of you, and are so excited to celebrate our love with you all so soon!