We're Getting Married!

After graduating high school, both Joseph and Jacqueline decided to pursue secondary education and history at Rider University where they met. They had many classes together, shared the same group of friends, and spent a great deal of time with one another at school functions. Fairly early on, Jacqueline detected that Joseph was working up the courage to ask for her number and "upgraded " his phone, not being able to wait any longer. While Joseph ended up leaving the education program, opting to study history and economics instead, the two remained together for the duration of their undergraduate experience. When asked, both Jacqueline and Joseph feel their success at Rider was only possible because of the efforts of the other. Following graduation, they soon moved in to their first apartment together, and the eager game of waiting for Joseph to "pop the question" began!

During their first trip abroad to London, Joseph surprised Jacqueline by planning a day trip to Paris. Crying from the moment she stepped off of the Eurostar, Jacqueline was taken aback having had a life goal of one day seeing the city. They spent the day seeing all of the sights and doing every last "touristy" thing they could; pictures outside of the Louvre, walking among the city's various arches and along the Seine River, eating crepes and soufflés, getting lost on the subway (quite the funny story), and seeing the Eiffel Tower. Following dinner, upon reflecting with Joseph, Jacqueline thought it might have been a good time and place to ask, feeling anxious if she assumed too much of the trip or of their relationship. It was only moments later that while walking back to the train station, Joseph took a detour back around the Tower and asked Jacqueline to "stop to smell and take a picture of the flowers" as he struggled with something in his pocket. Jacqueline looked over, and couldn't believe it was finally happening! At first all she could get out was "This is real!?" Joseph actually asked again later that night just to get a definitive "Yes!" for the record!

We've waited and worked a very long time on this; ten years to the date. From our first year in college to conceptualizing our wedding, we are incredibly grateful for each opportunity we have to learn and grow together. We are thankful for your being able to join us, and look forward to the next ten years, the first of many, as our lives as husband and wife begin.