March 23, 2024: Just a rainy day in Mount Holly New Jersey. Monica - I was visiting Jackie, a long time friend and former co-worker, in the hospital. I was hanging out with Jackie for the day, catching up, playing games, and just having some fun before she had to go to surgery. In walks in this 6'3" man with a baseball cap, t-shirt, and jeans. I thought to myself, "wow, who is this?" Jackie introduced him as her childhood friend/brother. I immediately thought to myself that I could not pursue anything with him. We all hung out for a few hours as he had to go. He talked about their childhood together, his tattoos, and the fact that he is West Virginia proud. Little did I know I too would be Mountaineer proud. Our first date; amazing! His first night staying at my place; core memory, can never make PBJs again! Moving to a whole new state, FOR A BOY! INSANE! Pittsburgh vs. Phillies, BEST DAY EVER! October 3rd, 2026; WE DO! Arnie - I was coming up to NJ to attend a viewing for my friend Kevin's grandmother. It was late Friday night and called Jackie to pass the time. I found out that she was in the hospital and made plans to visit her before I went to the viewing. It was raining and dreary, but when I walked in and was introduced to Monica, I forgot about everything else. She thinks she looked terrible, but I wholeheartedly disagree. She was wearing black leggings, a white sweatshirt and a black vest. She was doing her best Han Solo impression with a baseball hat on. We hit it off and quickly bonded over dad jokes, making fun of Jackie and other random thoughts. I can't tell you how fast I regretted leaving that hospital and not asking for her number. I texted Jackie and hounded her for her to pass my number along or vice versa. Jackie caved and sent me her number so I could text first. Countless nights and days texting and calling, keeping her up until 1 in the morning. Pretty soon, I was driving up to NJ and slipping out of family functions to go "see about a girl" as I told Matt and Ryan on May 11th, 2024. Our first date, wow. May 25th, I asked her if she wanted to be my girlfriend. Yes, it was quick but I was willing to risk it all. Did I have a plan for long distance dating? Not in the slightest. I just knew I was going to make it work. Pretty soon, we met each other's parents and it wasn't just me driving to NJ, but her coming to WV and spending weekends together. What was great was that we both got along with each other's parents and both sets meshed well with each other. Soon after we started talking about her moving to WV, and with as much crap she got about "moving for some boy", I am forever grateful that she said yes. And on May 17th, 2025 she started unpacking boxes in Morgantown. Well, from there I began finalizing my plan to pop THE QUESTION. I still don't get how she didn't know or suspect ANYTHING. I told my parents about it and got tickets to the Pirates vs Phillies game in Pittsburgh. I got her parents to come in and stay with us and not until the night before did I tell her mother. I had to wait until the morning of to tell her dad because he is terrible at keeping secrets from her. Yes, I had already gotten permission from her folks to marry her, it's tradition. Thanks to some great coworkers, Melissa and Courtney for coming up and taking some great photos and being surprise photographers. The fact that Monica walked right past them and didn't recognize them, was nerve-racking. Everything and everyone was ready and in place; I dropped to a knee, she cried instantly. BEST DAY EVER! -- Rapunzel, TANGLED. (so far....) ~Well folks, that got wordy and you can blame Arnie. Shocker, right? We hope that you have enjoyed this retelling of our story. We cannot wait to see you in attendance and help us celebrate the next core memory in our lives. We look forward to the next several chapters of our lives and hope that you will all appear on the yet unwritten pages of the book we call life.