Way back in the beginning, So, it’s lockdown during the pandemic and I have been talking to someone on hinge. I definitely feel like this girl is out of my league but, she is a good listener and fun to talk to. (NOTE FROM SARAH: He messaged me saying he’d grill steak for me - that was all I needed to hear!) I tell her about how I spent the past few years playing music in uncrowded bars with my friends. She told me about how she travels from NJ to Canada to Morocco and more. We have so much to talk about that by the time we talk over zoom, we are starting over the middle of each other’s sentences; but laughing about it. We haven’t met just yet but we are both really excited to hang out for the first time, as soon as it’s safe to go back outside again.

The first dates Sarah and I went on were…creative? We went for a walk around my neighborhood keeping 6 feet apart. Picnic’d with that food we got from trader joe’s. (NOTE FROM SARAH: I dropped a bottle of chai tea concentrate and it went everywhere. Paul didn’t know it yet but the way he handled the situation made me feel so safe and supported. That was when I realized I was falling hard for Paulie!) One date, I drove us to the empty boardwalk in Asbury Park because we both couldn’t stay inside any longer. During this time, we observed the absences of people, the crashing of waves and talked about what things were like before we met.

A trickle of dates gives way to Sarah and I spending all of our free time together and before we knew it I was living with the Cahns! (NOTE FROM SARAH: Now we were all living with a guy I met on the internet!! I’d say sorry to my mom and dad but bringing Paul into the mix really made lockdown so much better! He even won over my Grandma by playing guitar for her! 💜) Lockdown had eased for now and we both wanted to do everything we planned while we had to stay inside. We went to Colorado, Oklahoma and Florida off the bat, meeting one another’s loved ones. Each trip bringing us a little bit closer. There were also a lot of lessons learned about how to effectively travel without causing harm to your partners mental health. pro tip: make check list and don’t forget your glasses at home :)

We decided it was time to find a place together so we went apartment hunting. Endless apartment listings and multiple apartments showings later, we found our place! Our first place together would be across the street from a beautiful park in downtown Jersey City. Jersey City’s hot new couple entered the villa and were ready to party! (NOTE FROM SARAH: Sorry lol we’ve been watching a lot of love island!) Seriously, in that one year, all we did was have parties with our friends and family. Truly a time I can only properly remember with the help of aforementioned friends and family. Y’all were there and Y’all are in the pictures lol.

The world had changed a lot since the pandemic had began. Sarah and I were no longer two strangers chatting on Hinge. We were moving our things around the block with the help of our family and one surprisingly helpful grocery wagon. We talked a lot about how our lives will look in the future. Fast forward to October 2024. Our lives change forever when we go to the beach in Asbury and I ask Sarah to marry me! Our story is only just beginning and we are so excited to celebrate with all of you! - Paulie

We can’t wait to celebrate our love surrounded by family and friends so soon!