Before we explain how we met, it is important to note that Sadie is from Western Pennsylvania and Dean is from Eastern Pennsylvania. For college, Dean went west to Pittsburgh, and Sadie went east to Philadelphia. Summer 2016, Dean was back home working in Philadelphia on summer break. Sadie stayed on-campus working in Philadelphia. On June 1, 2016, by a stroke of good luck and before it was considered cool, Sadie and Dean swiped right on Tinder. Dean sent the most thoughtful, witty, and confident introduction he could think of: Hey, what's up? From there, nothing was stopping this bullet train. Fast forward a few months and we made things "official" on September 2, 2016. Our phones were at the right location at the right time, and we are forever grateful for Tinder's introduction (@Tinder please sponsor this wedding).

On our family vacation to Crete, Greece we were on a boat traveling to Balos Beach for the day. Once we arrived, "family photos" were being taken at the front of the boat with the beautiful beach in the background. I was admiring the view when I heard Dean call my name. I turned around to see him down on one knee asking me to marry him. I waddled over to him in excitement, kissed him, and obviously said yes. [Written by Sadie] Do you guys know how hard it is to surprise propose to someone you live with, 7 years into a relationship? Merely one month earlier on June 25, 2023, we went to NYC to ring shop shapes and settings etc. Every single store said 6-8 weeks minimum due to an industry-wide holiday break in early July. Sadie did the math, and grudgingly accepted her reality that she would not be getting engaged on our upcoming family trip to Crete. However, I knew a guy who knew a guy, and that guy is the unsung hero of this story. Not only was I assured that Sadie would get the ring she wanted and deserved, but more importantly, that it would be ready before the trip. THE day before our flight, I get the call, secure the package, and begin brainstorming how I will hide the box in the luggage and hotel room. Once we arrived, I decided to give us the day to settle in. Day 2 we explore the main town and see some sights with my family and I took the ring with me in case a special opportunity arose. It did not. That ring box was burning a whole through my bag all day, Perry and my Mom were on-call for video/photo. Another night of hide and seek with the ring box goes smoothly. We had a boat day planned on Day 3 and I needed to get this thing out of my possession as soon as possible. We are all on the boat, cruising the coast until we arrive at a gorgeous beach with crystal clear water. I tell her to go stand at the front of the boat for a picture. She walks up with her back turned to everyone, looking out at the shore. This was it. The moment I had thought about for years. My chance to eloquently profess my love to the most incredible person I have ever met. Perry successfully hands off the ring box. I approach, family recording devices at the ready. I drop to one knee, and suddenly I am speechless. All I can get out is "Sadie!" She turns, shock and awe set in, I skip/forget everything I wanted to say, cut to the chase, and she said yes. I almost drop the ring into the ocean, but didn't, and that's what matters. Now that, my friends, is how you make the inevitable into a surprise. Special thanks to the scenery for carrying the team. [Written by Dean] We are so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you all!

Kerkyra, aka "Corfu" is the Greek island where father of the groom Evan's side is from. Dean's Pappou Costa and Yiayia Niki were born and raised on the island. They met before Costa left for the United States, and he returned for her shortly after to propose and marry Niki in 1960. For decades, they would return every summer to see their family and friends. Dean's father and his uncle Don lived in Corfu for two years during grade school, and have returned frequently with their families over the years. Pappou Costa's father was a Greek Orthodox priest on the tiny island of Othonoi off the northern coast of Corfu. Yiayia Niki's parents were married at the historic Church of Saint Giorgos in Corfu Old Town. Cousins, second-cousins, and other close relatives still live on the island, and it remains a very special place in Dean's life and family. Also, it beats Philly every day of the week and twice on Sunday.