We met on June 19, 2022, during our first improv class at the People's Improv Theater. Despite spending hours laughing at each other, we didn’t really speak until our final class on July 10. That day, a group of us went out to lunch after class, and we bonded over our shared obsession with our dogs. That lunch turned into a group chat, where Melissa and Ben talked endlessly about their dogs. When no one else seemed interested seeing puppy pictures, Ben messaged Melissa privately, asking for Instagram advice for his dog. That one message led to hours of texts and late-night phone calls, and a month later, we had our first official date at Clinton Hall in Manhattan. It didn’t take long for us to realize that all those ‘yes, ands’ were leading us to a pretty amazing partnership...in life (we've still don't have any on-stage chemistry!).

Ben proposed at Wright’s Farm, the same place we’d gone apple picking on one of our first “big” dates. We always laugh about that trip because it accidentally became our ‘hard launch’ as a couple to our mutual improv friends. We hadn’t told anyone we were dating yet, and when Ben casually mentioned that we had gone apple picking, one of our friends screamed, “YOU WENT APPLE PICKING??” – and the secret was out. So, when Ben suggested a return trip to Wright’s Farm, Melissa was pretty sure this was the day. ✔︎ Ben wearing contacts ✔︎ Asking Melissa to pack the tripod ✔︎ Ben keeping his hand in his pocket all day After asking Melissa to set up the tripod for a "photo shoot," Ben tried to fake Melissa out by pulling out a Theodore-shaped ring she already owned (something his friends warned him against doing...luckily Melissa appreciates Ben's humor). When Ben reached his pocket a second time, Melissa thought it could be another trick...because who would pull an engagement ring out of a ziplock bag? Apparently her future husband. So just like that, in the middle of an apple orchard, surrounded by their furry family, Ben officially asked Melissa to say “yes, and” forever.