Our story began the modern way on Match.com but from the very first conversation, it felt anything but ordinary. After messaging back and forth and building anticipation, we finally met in person on April 28, 2022, at a Manchester Orchestra concert. Gabrielle was admittedly a little tipsy, but from the moment we saw each other, the connection was undeniable. We ended up holding hands all night, and from that evening on, we were completely drawn to one another. In the early days, Bert would drive clear across Jacksonville (no small trip) to take Gabrielle to lunch at work. Opposite sides of town didn’t matter. Distance didn’t matter. If it meant spending time together, we made it happen. Sometimes that meant a long drive just to share a quick ice cream date. Before long, we were inseparable. As our relationship grew, so did our little circle. Bert started staying over more and more with Gabrielle and Camryn, and eventually Lucy, his Victorian bulldog, joined too mostly because Bert was practically living there anyway! By November of that first year, we knew what we had was something truly special. We packed up Gabrielle and Camryn’s things, moved to the north side, and officially began building our home together as a family. Between us, we are blessed with three amazing kids Riley, Austin, and Camryn who have been at the heart of this journey. Together, we’ve blended our lives, our homes, and our hearts. After three and a half wonderful years together, Bert rang in 2026 in the most unforgettable way. Just after midnight on New Year’s Day, surrounded by close friends and our children, Camryn and Austin, he proposed in our backyard. It was intimate, meaningful, and absolutely perfect, just like us. Knowing we couldn’t wait to begin this next chapter, we set our wedding date for January 17, 2027. We didn’t want a long engagement—we’re ready to be husband and wife and continue building this beautiful life we’ve created. Bert (born March 11, 1980) and Gabrielle (born July 30, 1988) have both walked different paths before finding each other. This will be our second marriage, but without a doubt, it’s the one that feels like home. From a concert meet-cute to ice cream drives across town, from blending families to backyard proposals, our love story has been full of intention, laughter, and choosing each other every single day. We cannot wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you.