Meet us in Sonoma

“It’s a love story, baby…she said YES.” When Taylor Swift wrote these immortal words, I like to imagine that she already knew she would be describing both her future and ours. A coincidence that we all got engaged the very same year? I’ll let you decide for yourselves. But while we all know her love story, what about our love story? How did Allie and I get to our yes? Spring 2012 Our story begins over a decade ago, when two bright-eyed former theater kids took their first steps out of the nest and began their journey together at the incomparable Syracuse University. To no one’s surprise, Allie and I found ourselves involved in a student-run production of The Drowsy Chaperone during our freshman year. At those rehearsals, Allie claims to have caught me staring at her from afar. However, I know I was extremely subtle in my near-constant glances over at her. But it’s true — I was immediately captivated when I saw Allie for the first time. Her laugh was infectious, and her smile lit up even the dimly lit backstage we shared. The seeds of a crush had been planted, and the wheels of our love story officially began to turn. Summer 2015 After Syracuse, Allie turned her focus east to make her long-awaited NYC debut. I, on the other hand, ventured west, where a few lifelong friends and an extremely comfortable living room couch were waiting for me as I began my life in Los Angeles. Years would pass before our paths would cross again — until one fateful night of karaoke brought us together once more… Winter 2020 In the twinkling lights of LA’s K-Town karaoke bars, a birthday celebration was underway for our very own officiant, Megan Simcox. Meg and her now-husband, Kevin, had recently moved to Los Angeles, so with a karaoke mic in hand, I was ready to properly welcome them to the city as any new, good friend would do. Despite still living in NYC, on this particular night, Allie conveniently found herself in LA for work. She was in town for iHeartRadio’s annual alternative music festival, and she had planned to extend her trip to celebrate the birthday of one of her dearest friends from Syracuse… yes… that very same friend — our esteemed officiant, Meg. So on that fateful birthday celebration, nearly a decade later, Allie and I found ourselves together in the same room once again. She had just come from hours of work, was still wearing her “work backpack,” and was obviously still as gorgeous as ever. We reconnected immediately and shared stories of what we had been up to over the past few years. Karaoke led us to the next bar… I bought her a drink, which led us to the dance floor… and it was there that Allie and I shared our very first kiss. It was clear that there was more than just a crush between us. Over the next few years, we managed to stay in touch despite an entire country (and global pandemic) separating us. We slid into each other’s DMs to wish each other a “chag sameach” on the Jewish holidays. We would catch up every once in a while when Allie visited LA for work. Our love story continued to simmer until… Spring 2023 Our time had finally come. Allie was visiting LA for Meg’s birthday once again, hoping we’d also get the chance to connect. However, just as she flew into town, I tragically flew out of town. Allie decided right then and there that this would be our final missed connection. No more ships passing in the night. It was time for our love story to actually begin. She had decided to make the move — the move that would change both of our lives forever. She sent a text letting me know that she would be back in town in a month and asked me out for the last first date I’d ever go on. Overjoyed and nervous to finally see where this love story could lead, I emphatically replied, “Would love to finally grab that drink!” The rest is history.