It was an unseasonably warm day in the fall of 2014 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While Ben was out celebrating his friend’s birthday on Main Street, his mind was elsewhere. Ben and Lizzie had known each other for two years and had traveled in the same friend group at Michigan, but the two were about to turn a longstanding friendship into something more. Ben had invited Lizzie to come over to his fraternity house to watch Forrest Gump. It must have been the right film to snuggle up to because it kickstarted a beautiful relationship. The next two years in Ann Arbor were full of memories together. Great times were had at Date Parties, both Rick’s and Skeeps, and just about every restaurant on Main Street (Aventura is our favorite). Ben supported Lizzie at various skating competitions and Lizzie helped Ben and the crew at many SportsNite tapings in any way she could. The couple had started to make a life together. After graduation, the realities of the workforce set in. Ben had accepted a job in Connecticut while Lizzie was in New York City. While the couple did spend one last month together traveling through Italy and Greece, a long distance relationship was awaiting for them on their arrival back in the U.S. Almost 3 years to the day that they left Michigan, Lizzie and Ben were reunited in New York City as Ben got a new work opportunity in the big city. After many midnight drives on I-95, naps on the train to New Haven, and constant FaceTime calls, the couple could not be more excited to explore New York together and create an adult version of the life they had created together in Ann Arbor. Less than a year into their new life together in New York City, the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York. While there were many fun times spent over the years exploring the bars of Williamsburg and the Lower East Side with our friends, cheering on the Mets and Giants, and taking in just about every art museum in the city, the pandemic pressed pause on some New York City (and abroad) adventures. In came a new chapter in their relationship that the couple never expected to write - living with each other’s parents and siblings. Rochelle and Larry put up with many reruns of classic Mets Games in Chappaqua while Bill and Carol were elated to have Lizzie around to help Leah and Sarah with their puzzles. For Lizzie and Ben, the movie marathons, game nights, and family dinners only made them closer to each other’s families. As the quarantine period subsided, the couple decided to move in together on the Upper West Side and haven’t looked back since. Their favorite activities are always spent together and include taking long walks in Central Park, exploring new restaurants, and even snuggling up to a movie on the couch - just like their first date. Some things never change. Lizzie and Ben seriously cannot wait until 11.11.23!!!