It was a cloudy, May afternoon in 2013 when Brittany tried her first garbage plate. An artery clogging culinary staple of Rochester, New York, the Garbage Plate normally pairs home fries with mayo-ridden mac salad topped with a choice of meats (normally 1 cheeseburger and 1 hot dog), hot sauce, onions, ketchup, and mustard. Curious as to how this unique dish found its way into her hands at the base of the Wissahickon Ski Hill, Brittany engaged in conversation with the grill-master, Anthony. Between breath-deteriorating bites, a small flame was lit. Anthony and Brittany continued to hit it off throughout the day and agreed to meet for a date the following week.

In a true microcosm of their lives, Anthony showed up early; Brittany was late. Anthony promptly spilled his water all over Brittany’s purse and she shrugged it off as if it were nothing. They shared a delicious meal at their favorite BBQ joint in Manayunk, Deke’s. After dinner, the most pivotal moment of a first date, Brittany asked Anthony to join her for another drink at the next-door bar. At the Ugly Moose, something beautiful happened. Anthony and Brittany shared their first kiss and the small flame that started a week prior turned into a sparkler on the 4th of July. But someone had a secret…

Unbeknownst to Brittany, Anthony has recently inked a contract for his work, which would send him to Germany indefinitely. Not knowing how to approach the impending situation, Anthony simply ignored it. Fortunately, one of Brittany’s friends tipped her off. The newly formed couple had “the conversation” and agreed that the opportunity for true love doesn’t always knock at the right time. They decided to put this spring fling to the test. Thus began an inter-continental love story worthy of the movies (at least a B level film).

Separated by an ocean for nearly three years brought a set of extravagant experiences and complex challenges. Filled with Spanish romance, Roman anguish, and German beer (lots of German beer), Anthony and Brittany’s love survived the distance test. Not willing to be a part any longer, Anthony moved back to the Philadelphia area in spring of 2016. There, Anthony and Brittany could enjoy things that normal couples do like eating gelato and watching Netflix. After a few years, it was clear that the spark that started over a garbage plate had solidified into a strong fire that could not be extinguished…

Anthony’s hands were sweating all day. The couple was planning on a Friday night date to learn how to cook authentic Moroccan food. Anthony had organized a few friends to come over during the date to decorate the apartment with rose petals and champagne. At 2pm, Brittany texted Anthony and said the cooking class had been cancelled because the instructor had contracted the flu. Thinking on his feet, Anthony suggested that they should go out to dinner instead. After dinner, the couple returned to the apartment. Brittany was shocked to see the rose petals leading to the Christmas tree. Anthony put on the mixed tape he had created, got down on one knee and popped the question. Amongst tears of joy, she said YES!!!