Vinny and Clare both went to the University of Rochester. He was a class ahead of Clare. Vinny was a part of, what he likes to call, a "social organization" (fraternity), and Clare was a member of the Club Tennis Team. Through a mutual friend (their lovely officiant) who was involved in both organizations, they met and became friends. A few years later, Vinny was Clare's RA on campus...but it wasn't until after Vinny graduated and Clare came back from studying abroad that the two reconnected at a trivia night at one of their favorite bars, The Old Toad. From then on, they were inseparable!

Vinny would frequently come over to Clare's house her senior year of college to watch Game of Thrones on her screened-in porch. Out on the porch was a record player. He threw on a record and started slow dancing with her on the porch. From that moment, he knew. (Unfortunately neither of them can remember what song was playing...)

One night after eating dinner together, Vinny asked Clare if she wanted to go for a drive. It was dark, and Vinny took them to the reservoir in Highland Park. There was a full moon and Vinny told Clare that he wanted to show her the moon. They stared at the starry sky and Clare fell in love with the sap.

Weeks before the proposal, Vinny told Clare that he was invited to a U of R Alumni event on campus in a couple weeks. He said there would be an open bar so, naturally, Clare asked if she could tag along. The night of the event, Vinny could not get into the car because it was frozen over with ice! In a panic, he called an Uber and the two went to campus. Vinny took Clare to a private room off the library because he was "feeling nostalgic." Clare was very confused and eager to get to the event. Then, Vinny surprised her by getting down on one knee and popping the question while a hidden photographer captured the moment. Later that night, Vinny took Clare to the bar where it all started, The Old Toad. Waiting there for her were all of Vinny's and Clare's family members and closest friends ready to celebrate. It was a night to remember.