Hallowedding!

They met at a coffee shop in Convention Hall in Asbury Park, on a chilly late-winter morning. Chaz had Duke with him, sitting outside the shop, and Erica was in dire need of a cup of tea to warm her up. Recognizing Duke first from around town, Erica approached Chaz and said hi. They struck up a conversation and the interest and connection was immediate. Friendship was an instant no-brainer, and through a series of events that can only be scripted in a Hollywood movie (or perhaps in an early 70s Bruce Springsteen song), their worlds merged for good!

It was a nice, late-winter day like any other, except for one thing: March 3 happened to be the Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade, a very big deal in the area. Though they're not into the holiday itself, what better reason to have a few beers while people-watching? So Chaz and Erica strapped on their matching black and white Vans and stopped by his Uncle Joe's hardware store for a few sandwiches, a few beers and a prime spot to watch all the floats and weirdos go by. The day passed as normal and by early evening, the weather quickly shifted and it started snowing like mad. Chaz asked Erica if she wanted to come with him down to their spot on the beach in Avon to check out the storm. With enthusiasm and a sense of adventure, they headed to The Slice, as they've lovingly nicknamed it. And suddenly, out of nowhere, in the middle of a swirling snow storm, wind whipping at their faces, Chaz dropped down on one knee and asked Erica to marry him. She first said, "WHAT" and immediately followed that with an enthusiastic and tear-filled, "YES!". There was never a question in her heart that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Chaz.