WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

I met Jesse in Vermont in 2017. He and his business partner had recently formed Dirty Dog Farm and I was in the middle of a pre-med graduate program at UVM. At the time, he also managed produce at a local grocery store and, since I notoriously grocery shop every day of my life, we formed a fast friendship over our shared love of music and sports. When the Golden State Warriors were slated to play the Houston Rockets, we made a bet on the game’s outcome: loser would buy dinner. I was so confident in my Dubs that I raised the stakes to dinner at Hen of the Wood, the nicest restaurant in town. The Rockets won and the rest is history. We ended up splitting dinner at Hen of the Woods and fell in love two weeks later. When Jesse told me that he would be moving his farm to the Hudson Valley, where he grew up, I didn’t flinch. We both knew that our connection was strong and could sustain and grow over any distance. And grow it has. We have lived apart for over two years and it has been the happiest time of our lives. After we get married, we will continue to live apart as we follow our dreams. Jesse will continue to grow Dirty Dog Farm and I started my first year of medical school at UVM in August. Jesse and I are so excited and grateful to share one of the best days of our lives with you. The Hudson Valley is so special to us and we can’t wait for you to see it and understand its magic. We want you to experience it in its fullest – meet the cows, enjoy the local food, and learn more about regenerative agriculture. We also hope you are able to stay through the long weekend, either eating Dirty Dog Farm hamburgers on the 4th, exploring the incredible hiking trails, or just basking in the goodness the Hudson Valley has to offer! We feel so incredibly lucky to have you in our lives and are just thrilled that you will be with us for our big day.

I hadn’t truly formed a plan when I decided to propose to Finlay. The only thing that I was sure of was that I wanted to spend the rest of our time on Earth together. It is fitting then, that I propose to my favorite person, surrounded by my favorite non persons: the cows at Dirty Dog Farm. In farming time is money. That fact, coupled with a healthy dose of my own guilt and it is impossible to leave for long. Finlay drives to New York as often as possible for as many long weekends as possible. One of these beautiful weekends was coming to an end and as Finlay finished packing I suggested (demanded) that we take a little walk around the farm. Anyone who has spent any meaningful time around me knows how calming the cattle are. Finlay has felt the same way about them for some time but didn’t have the highest level of confidence sandwiched between bovines as I had. We walked into the paddock where our cow/calf pairs were and one of the larger, newly minted mothers, Flower, walks over to us. Flower insultingly walks right passed me and starts to lick and gently nuzzle Finlay. Insatiably licking up and down and pressing her body up against Finlay. I walked up to flower and started rubbing her side back and forth the length of her body. Finlay, noticing how much flower was enjoying this did the same thing on the opposite side. It wasn’t long before Flower’s fresh calf bellowed for her and being the attentive mother she still is to this day Flower sauntered away. As she passed by I stood there holding the ring box open. Immediate tears. Finlay began putting on the ring and said yes before I even had a chance to ask the big question. I was left speechless. A rare occasion for me. I’m still in awe of that moment. I still don’t know how circumstances come together at the perfect time? How such large and powerful beasts could bring us so much peace of mind? How an 1800 lb animal could show humanity such grace? How two people could be so in love? But, it was perfect.