The year was 2021... The stakes were high, the standards... higher. One might even think insurmountable, or at least Joe did, as he waited tirelessly for a txt that may or may not come. That's right, Joe was left "on read" for what he recalls as three weeks but what I think was only two give or take a few cancelled dates and last minute schedule changes on my end. You've all heard the story... but please, try not to think less of me (Carli, the creative brain of this operation) for not giving our sweet Joe the time of day right off the bat. I would like to see you try and date not only the men running rampant through the streets of DC... but also, their audacity. But who knows... the absence of that fickle bitty we call "tact" may just have been what drove this tender man's persistence when it came to pursuing what would obviously be the love of his life. For not more than a second date later, our "I'm so over the men of this cesspool" gal (that's me) was calling her mom on the walk home from his apartment all but screaming "I'VE MADE A GRAVE MISTAKE, HE'S PERFECT." And before you ask, no, I do not believe that the good people of this party need to know that this deal sealing second date may have been rescheduled twice on my behalf...and I may or may not have shown up hungover, with a fresh bag of Trader Joe's chips and a previously opened can of salsa I wasn't willing to share with just anyone. That second date may not sound like anything to write home about, but 4 hours of Letter Kenny and a shared plate of HEART SHAPED sushi, yes you read correct, HEART. SHAPED. SUSHI and I was head-over-heels hooked on the tall (hairy) glass of ranch-water that is our very own Joseph Cirafici. *editors note: It was indeed three weeks not two and I would like the good people of this party to know that it was just a coincidence that my favorite roll...the Valentine Roll from Momiji was shaped in such a insinuating manner. -Joe, Editor of this operation. Now if you've managed to make it this far, I applaud you. I've heard I can be relatively long winded... But this is my show, so buckle up buttercups because we've made it. We are getting married after three years, two pets, one huge move across the country, and countless pals asking us to "just get a room already we know you're in love!" And they're all right, we are in love and we couldn't be happier to celebrate it with you. xoxo Carli and Joe