Over Memorial Day weekend, 5 years ago, Jade and Matt met through mutual friends at Bounce in New York City. They exchanged numbers that night, but it took Matt two years to convince Jade to meet up again! Persistence was key! Jade finally agreed to meet him at a bar (Warren 77) and watch a Rangers game with a group of friends. At the end of the night, and after a few other bars, they decided to see each other again for an “official” first date at The Waverly Inn. It was just the two of them and they ate oysters and octopus, a couple of Jade’s (and now Matt’s) favorite things. It was the beginning of a perfect first date, but then... As they stopped at a bar (Rosemary’s) for another glass of wine, Matt was surprised/bombarded/attacked by no less than FIVE of Jade’s Delta Gamma sorority sisters. Nothing like jumping right in! Matt was a good sport and they all went to another bar where Matt met even more of Jade’s friends. She knew he was a keeper after he was tested with remembering all of the girls’ names. He passed with flying colors! They went on more dates over the next few months, which turned into trips over the next few years. Although they found each other in a “hopeless” place (anyone who has ever been to Bounce understands!), their love grew as they explored NYC, Napa, Barcelona, Majorca, London and of course, repeat trips to Florida and New Jersey. After Matt spent one too many days commuting from Midtown East and Jade spent one too many days commuting from Hoboken, they decided it was time to move in together! Matt actually REALLY loved his 5am commute from NYC so he agreed to try city living. They compromised by picking an apartment all the way west, in Battery Park. Living together felt right and after a year, Matt knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Jade. (Jade maybe knew a little sooner.) Matt proposed in their apartment with a quick drop to his knee. Once the shock of what was happening wore off, Jade (of course) said YES!!