First comes school, then comes marriage. Arielle and Joey grew up just minutes apart in the same hometown. Their paths first crossed in Saint James Elementary school in Mrs. Chacons first-grade class. Throughout school Arielle could often be found dancing at halftime during Joey's basketball games- but it wasn't until their Junior year of high school, when their friend groups merged and they truly connected. What began as a group of friends hanging out slowly turned into something more. As Arielle and Joey spent more time together, Joey started to see Arielle in a different light. It took a little persistence (three asks to be exact!), but Joey finally convinced Arielle to go on a date with him. After their first date- grabbing Pizza at Rocco's- turned out to be the last "first date" either of them would ever have. From that moment on, they've been by each other's side. From high school proms to senior night, four years of long-distance traveling from Maryland to Marist to see each other, their first apartment together, and everything in between- they've grown up, grown together, and built a life together filled with love, laughter, and memories. Now ready to take their biggest step yet- and they couldn't be more excited to continue to write their love story together.

If you ask Joey... Not long after Arielle and I moved in together, I quietly began planning the perfect proposal. I knew she had always dreamed of something special, so after we went ring shopping together, I set out to find the perfect ring on my own. I arranged for both of our families to be there, hired a photographer to capture every detail, and crafted a plan that I hoped would completely surprise her. On the day itself, I told her we were celebrating her uncle’s birthday, and with the help of her mother and Nina, we ended up at the gazebo in Ninas backyard- beautifully decorated under the guise of Nina's neighbor’s vow renewal. I led her there, spoke from the heart, and finally dropped to one knee. The moment our families appeared on the balcony, cheering us on, I knew I had given her the proposal she’d always dreamed of. If you ask Arielle... From my side, the day felt like a fairytale come to life. Although I had a feeling Joey might propose sometime that year, I never expected it to be that day. Walking toward the gazebo, I admired how beautiful it looked, completely unaware that it was all for me. Then, in the middle of all that love and beauty, Joey got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was overwhelmed with joy, especially when I realized our families had been there all along, watching and celebrating. The surprises didn’t end there—later that night we walked into a restaurant where so many of our closest friends were waiting to share in the excitement. It was a magical, love-filled day I will treasure forever.

A & J | JUNE 20 2026 | CENTERPORT, NY