We're getting married!

Elizabeth and Joseph first met when their mutual friend Anders invited friends over to watch the TV show The Wire. Elizabeth thought Joseph was cute, but too talkative and (relatively) outgoing for her taste. They barely acknowledged each other.

Two year later, Elizabeth and Joseph were both living at Haverford College over the summer, and found themselves continually running in to each other. Once Elizabeth decided to actually talk to Joseph, she discovered he was not just a cocky extrovert like she initially thought, but rather found him to be insightful, kind and goofy. Meanwhile, Joseph thought Elizabeth was thoughtful, intriguing and fun. When school started in the Fall, he invited her to a dinner party he was hosting with his cross country teammates. It went well. Throughout the fall they became quite fond of each other. They bonded over their shared love of cooking and eating (and maybe some drinking), athletics, and an affinity for self-reflection. Joseph also thought Elizabeth was an impressive soccer player. Elizabeth thought Joseph cared too much about running (she got over it).

Upon graduating from Haverford, Joseph spent 10 months in South America studying monkeys, trekking through the Andes, and teaching. Meanwhile, Elizabeth was discovering her passion for working with children while volunteering in Peru, and then taking a job for a community-based non-profit in Philadelphia. While technically they were taking a break during this time, the agreement to give each other space while pursuing their own interests only lasted a few months, completely falling by the wayside after they spent a week together in Peru. When Joseph got over his wanderlust, he came back to Philadelphia and the two were re-united.

Over the next two years in Philadelphia, Joseph and Elizabeth did their best to transition in to adulthood together, learning important life skills like how to identify the best gastropubs and dance spots in the city, refining their tastes in adult beverages, and balancing friendships, their relationship, and their passion for their work.

Despite their growing attachment to each other, their career ambitions took Joseph and Elizabeth to different cities. Joseph moved to Boston for a PhD program in clinical psychology, while Elizabeth stayed in Philadelphia for law school. This was very sad. Nonetheless, the time apart allowed them each to grow as individuals and strengthened their appreciation and commitment to each other. When Elizabeth finished law school, she got a job in Boston and they were reunited after three long years. This was very happy.

After a year of living together in Boston, Elizabeth and Joseph decided they were ready to get married. In characteristic fashion, this decision (and the choice of the engagement ring) was made together, but it was still up to Joseph to propose. During a weekend trip to New Hampshire, they hiked to the top of Mt. Monadnock, where Joseph told Elizabeth he had a special snack for them to enjoy on the summit together. Elizabeth was especially excited because she thought she would be getting cheese (her favorite food) but instead Joseph pulled out the ring and said "I have something better than cheese." It was the happiest moment of their lives (so far!). (And Joseph did bring cheese. The photo at the top of the page was taken on Mt. Monadnock about 30 minutes before the proposal/cheese consumption).