Once upon a time, in the vast digital landscape of Manhattan and Pier Village, two souls were brought together by a swipe and a spark. It was on the dating app Bumble that Dan and Natalie's paths first met, each drawn by a shared love of the Jersey Shore, Cairn Terriers and their impressive Beanie Baby collections (those things are going to make us a lot of money one day). On that fateful winter day, February 8, 2020, the couple met for the first time at the Brickwall Tavern-may she rest in peace- in the enchanting enclave of Asbury Park. Natalie was shocked by Dan's rebellious side after he stole a beer from the establishment (most likely the reason they had to close their doors) and impressed by his ability to eat Buffalo wings without making a total mess. Dan was impressed that Natalie was able to go the whole night without eating. Little did he know, she was housing potato chips and onion dip while he was in the restroom. As the night unfolded, time lost its grip, and the hours slipped away unnoticed. They ended the night sharing a bucket of Coronitas at Bond Street Bar and the rest is history!

The date was August 27, 2023. It was one the hottest days New Jersey had seen all summer. Despite the heat, Dan suggested a walk in Thompson Park, not so coincidentally the location the two officially became a couple years earlier. Their pup, Ricky,-a socially awkward yet endearingly goofy German Shepherd/Boxer mix- was bursting with pent-up energy from days inside escaping the scorching temperatures. Natalie hesitated, the heat and humidity of the day giving her pause, but Dan's persistence prevailed. As they ventured into the park, Natalie was determined to be a responsible citizen, taking it upon herself to crush every spotted lanternfly in their path, while Dan forged ahead with Ricky. Suddenly, Ricky's exuberant barking pierced the air, his attention fixated on a deer in the distance. In his fervor, Ricky's collar inched up his neck. Natalie took a moment from "saving the Earth," to adjust the collar. While she was attending to Ricky, Dan insisted that Natalie take a look at the new tag he bought for him. In that moment, Natalie was struck with a mixture of astonishment and sheer joy as she read the tag, "Will you marry my Daddy?". How had she missed this earlier? Turning around, Natalie found Dan knelt before her. She did not even let him open his mouth to pop the question before she blurted out, "Yes! I love you so much!" and jumped into his arms. It was the easiest question she had ever been asked.