On December 3rd, 2021, in a chilly rink in Connecticut, fate quietly set its course. Jess had come to facilitate her sorority’s fundraiser, and though it was her first Sacred Heart game, hockey was hardly foreign to her—she had grown up watching her dad and brother play, spending countless hours in the hum of cold arenas. That night, while briefly sneaking away from tending to her fundraiser, she just so happened to find herself standing behind the glass next to Anthony during the last five minutes of the third period. Anthony, a freshman at West Point, had just begun his journey at the Academy. Normally he’d be out on the ice with the club hockey team, but a concussion from the previous game kept him out of play. Instead, his eyes kept drifting toward Jess. And in that moment, he couldn’t look away. Summoning the kind of courage usually reserved for battle, he finally introduced himself. The very next morning, Anthony asked Jess to breakfast. Jess ordered a waffle, but she never touched it—too busy talking a mile a minute, sharing stories, laughter, and pieces of her world. Anthony, meanwhile, polished off his entire plate, listening intently to every word. Jess admired his patient, listening heart, and Anthony was captivated by her bright, bubbly spirit. By the time breakfast ended, they both knew: it was history from there. From the very beginning, their relationship was marked by distance—car rides and plane rides across states, weekends circled on the calendar, and the bittersweet rhythm of joyful hellos followed by tearful goodbyes. Yet instead of pulling them apart, the miles only strengthened their bond, teaching them patience, sacrifice, and how to treasure every moment together. And in between the miles, their love became defined by the quiet, thoughtful ways they cared for one another. The kind of love that makes handwritten signs to pick each other up at the airport, bakes favorite cookies just because, fills water bottles without asking, tucks little love notes into unexpected places, and finds joy in surprising one another. A love that is gentle, patient, and always looking to out-serve the other. The years that followed were filled with laughter, adventures, and a love that grew deeper every single day. Jess became Anthony’s biggest fan, cheering from the stands at West Point hockey games. And Anthony—no matter the rules, no matter the consequences—escaped from base whenever he could, even if it meant “walking hours” in full uniform across the yard at West Point as punishment for coming back late. Every step was worth it, if it led him to Jess. But at the center of everything—through every season, every sacrifice, every mile, and every joy—has been their faith. Anthony and Jess know that Christ is the foundation that allows them to grow deeper together, and it is with Him that they plan to build their future. They cannot wait to serve the Lord side by side, raising their family on that firm foundation of love, grace, and faithfulness. On July 3rd, 2025, Anthony asked Jess to marry him on the shores of Singer Island, Florida. With a plan crafted over a year, and the help of their family and friends, he orchestrated what became lovingly known by their families as “the royal engagement.” It was magical, breathtaking—one of those rare moments where time seemed to stand still. Now, they look forward to May 3rd, 2026, when they will join their lives forever, surrounded by the people they love most. From Cornwall, New York, to Littleton, Colorado, from hockey rinks to beaches, from long-distance goodbyes to forever hellos, their story has always been about finding home in each other—and in the Lord who brought them together. And this is just the beginning.