We're getting married!

We were introduced to each other while performing in a star-studded Broadway benefit at City Center in New York City. Eight years later, we finally went on a date--some things take time. By the third date, we knew we would be married--some things don't take time. After orbiting each other's circles for so long, we made up for lost time with an epic first date. We met up at Columbus Circle in September, strolled through the tree-lined Mall of Central Park, chatted for hours seated beneath a tree (blanket and two organic farmers market apples supplied by Derek--a touch that did not go unnoticed by Deanna), heard echoes of a live Coldplay concert taking place on the Great Lawn, danced the Bachata with a salsa group by the Bethesda Fountain, and then ended the night leaning over the picturesque Bow Bridge overlooking the Central Park Lake and taking in the city skyline. It was Date Three that sealed the deal. We hiked Bear Mountain, located in the Hudson Valley, where we climbed the mountain as Derek and Deanna, but descended as Derek & Deanna. Derek had made us what would become Deanna's favorite sandwich (peanut butter and apricot jam on a buttered, toasted English muffin, made with love). At the top of the mountain we ate, Derek gave his shirt to Deanna when she was a bit chilly (which she put on and then never returned--on purpose), and took our first photo together (see below). Huddled close to each other because it was cold and windy, we walked down the entire mountain, our arms wrapped around each other and Derek's scarf wrapped around both of our necks, only letting go long enough for Derek to catch a falling leaf to give to Deanna--a gesture to return the favor from their previous date. Derek was thinking the entire time, "I want to find a place for our first kiss, but I don't want there to be people walking by," and Deanna was thinking, "Derek is thinking that he wants to find a place for our first kiss, but he doesn't want there to be people walking by." She was also thinking, "I'm going to marry this man." When they got to the bottom, they laid on a blanket in a field, swatting away mosquitos and observing the occasional deer. Each having brought along a book, they read for a bit, and then Deanna laid with her head on Derek's chest while he played with her hair. Deanna thought "this is what Heaven feels like." Derek thought, "I'm going in." It was then that they had their first kiss. From then on, we knew that our lives would be different. What seemed like an unattainable dream became a reality, and we are both incredibly grateful to have found each other after all these years. We are really looking forward to celebrating our love with you all, a love that perhaps came later than we'd hoped, but was well worth the wait.