It was a balmy evening in Orlando, Florida at the Peacock Room, the latest stop on Shinobi Ninja’s 2011 Rock Hood tour. Bridesmaid, Angela Severiano, Bev’s sorority sister and Mike’s studio buddy from Hell’s Kitchen, brought Bev to see the show that night and when their eyes locked, sparks flew until Shinobi’s set was delayed so far that Bev had to get home because ... work night! It was raining cats and dogs so Mike offered to walk Bev to her car and, in turn, Bev gave Mike a ride across the parking lot to the venue entrance. When the car started, Bev’s cd of Alice in Chains’ “Jar of Flies” spun up on the stereo and Mike was smitten like a schoolboy with his first crush. Fast forward five+ years and three similar encounters with each other in Florida and California, Bev and Mike shared their first date in New York City on the summer solstice in Battery Park and later on at the Village Vanguard for Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra’s weekly residency. Later that night, Mike drove Bev back to sister and Maid of Honor, Nikki Gagiu and husband Alex’s house in Jersey and, just before parting ways, Mike and Bev had their first kiss. After a year of dating long distance, they couldn’t stand being apart any longer and moved into an apartment in Jersey. Cohabited in bliss for just over a year, Mike proposed at the cliff of a winery where they previously shared the sunset. Bev, unaware of Mike’s plans, insisted that their moms join them on their trip to the winery as it was Mother’s Day weekend ... and why break up the party? Both moms were in on Mike’s plans and went along with Bev’s wishes, and quickly ducked out of sight to give them privacy for their moment. And that’s how we get to October 5th, with you all as witnesses to their union!