(As told by Jackie) It was 2020, the year of COVID. The world was in lockdown. As a nurse in New York City, I was called to the front lines to fight a global pandemic that nobody saw coming. For months, I’d walk the empty streets, take an empty bus, and arrive at a crowded hospital. Behind a mask, I tried to put on my bravest face. I’d get home to my apartment in East Harlem, hold my dogs, and wonder where in the world is my life partner. Turns out, he was just a few blocks away In West Harlem. I just didn’t know, until one November night, I swiped right on a dating app. “31, Puerto Rican, Architect, Family” with a great smile. It was too good to be true. I was suspect. But with restaurants finally opening up again and a looming winter approaching—I thought: one date with this guy couldn’t hurt. One date, led to another. And another and another and another…

(As told by Jose) The place was called 67 Orange Street in Central Harlem—one of the few lounge bars that was open and had outside seating. I’ll never forget: we were wearing masks the first time we met. It took forever for the place to seat us—and just as long to finally see Jackie’s face behind the mask. Thinking back: I must have been captivated by her eyes, her jokes, her warmth, or all of it—cause it felt like time didn’t matter. It was only after we sat down that I realized we had waited two hours. Biden & Harris were announced as winners that Saturday night. Amidst the COVID lockdowns and political heartache, the city felt like it was turning to a new chapter—and we were just starting ours. Music was blasting from apartments and car windows. People were out laughing and celebrating for the first time in a long time. And in the warm glow of our small table, I was realizing: oh wow, I think I might marry the woman in front of me. A year and a half later, I asked Jackie to do just that.

(As told by us) Jackie: You had been giving me a lot of accidental clues. We were in Puerto Rico celebrating my birthday. That week, you told me July 29th was a “special dinner” on the beach. But why the 29th, when the 26th was my birthday? (Hmmmmm) Jose: Yeahhhhh, you’re right. That was sus. I didn’t think that one through. Jackie: Actually, the first clue was when you insisted on planning the whole vacation! I’m usually the one planning and booking things. So when you told me, “don’t worry about it” , I was like…..I’m worrying about it. Jose: Hahaha, I was hoping your birthday was a good-enough excuse for me to take up planning duties. I guess it wasn’t as effective as I thought. Jackie: yeah nahhh Jose: Wait, so what was the moment when you were like, “oh wow, he’s really gonna ask me?” Jackie: When I was getting ready for this “dinner on the beach” and I saw you come out in a blazer. That’s when I got the nervous poops lol. Jose: lmaoooo Jackie: I definitely felt like it was going to happen, but I had no idea you’re were going to drop down on one knee and ask me on the beach. I thought you were gonna wait for the dinner. Jose: oh gosh, the blazer was necessary. I couldn’t think of another way to hide a big box with a ring without you seeing it. I thought about hiding the ring in a tote bag and stuff some towels inside. But then I had this nightmare of dropping down to one knee, rummaging in the tote bag and towels, and not finding the ring box. Jackie: Yeah, that’s smart. When you dropped down on one knee, how did you feel? Jose: I was excited to finally ask you! I mean, it had been months of thinking, planning, and keeping this all under wraps. So when the day came, I was ready to go. I do have to admit, I had planned what I was going to say and, when I reached into the blazer to get the ring, I ended up saying something cheesy to you like: “oh gosh, I think I’m going to cry.” After a few seconds, I finally said the words: “will you marry me?” Jackie: All I remember is—seeing your eyes get watery, hearing you say “oh gosh, I think I’m gonna cry,” and thinking “omg omg omg.” Then everything was a blur after that. When I said yes, I saw you, me and our whole future in front of us.