Our love story began on Hinge after several failed meet-up attempts and mismatches with others. We both cut right to the chase and decided to meet up at a local bar on a Tuesday after work for a quick drink. We ended up talking and laughing for 4 hours over drinks and roasted brussel sprouts, and I remember feeling how easy it was to make our connection. Later, as I walked Jess to her car, she paused and stared up at me, and I recall thinking she had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. Ignoring typical first date behavior, we smiled as I leaned in to have our first kiss in the chilly February evening. And while the bar we met at is no longer in business, our love has endured. After 8 years of memories, laughter, and challenging times by each other's side, I still get lost in her eyes every time she looks up and smiles at me. I knew our proposal had to be special, and the opportunity presented itself after scheduling a trip to New York City in May of 2025. Jess had mentioned how her dream would be to have a photographer capture the moment I got down on one knee. I had found a photographer and the plan was set. We arrived in NYC and set off adventuring. After touring around the city seeing the sites and getting some pizza, we headed to the proposal spot (unbeknownst to Jess). It was a pier on the west side of Manhattan with the Empire State building and city skyline in the background. As we walked to the pier, it started to rain. As we neared the spot where the photographer was waiting, the rain began to pour down! Right as we couldn't take it anymore, and Jess began to run for cover to shield herself from the rain, I shoved the pizza box into her hands and dropped down on one knee. To say she was surprised would be an understatement. It truly was a picture perfect moment! Me, down on one knee asking for Jess to be my wife, in the rain in a beautiful city, while the photographer snapped away. The pictures came out amazing and it was the perfect start to the most memorable weekend in the most memorable city. We saw Wicked on Broadway, Beyonce at MetLife stadium, museums and architecture and ate some of the best food and pizza the city has to offer. We are serving Mountain Crust pizza at the wedding to commemorate our experience in NYC! It truly felt like the trip of a lifetime, and will be a hard one to top for sure. We can't wait to tie the knot in June, and I feel so lucky to spend the rest of our lives together to continue making new memories!