Jay and Arleen first met on the patio of Postino East café in Gilbert, Arizona on a cool December evening in 2015. Jay dressed like Steve Jobs and Arleen in her Bohemian, eclectic style had a near instant connection. (Unbeknownst to Jay at the time, Steve Jobs happens to be Arleen’s hero, and unbeknownst to Arleen at the time, Jay was looking for a Renaissance woman.) We enjoyed the wine of Postino and talked for several hours on our mutual and varied interests – travel/exploration, lifelong learning, the arts, entrepreneurship, and life in corporate America. As we strolled on Gilbert Road that evening, we realized that even with our diverse backgrounds, we had more in common – similar values, similar experiences, and similar goals. In the years that followed, as our relationship blossomed, we traveled the country and the world, meeting many of you, who will hopefully be our guests on July 7th.

Arleen had been consulting for General Motors in Kansas City, since the summer months of 2018, while Jay remained in Arizona working for Intel. Rather than embarrass her in front of her family at Christmas, Jay chose to propose on Christmas Eve in front of the Christmas tree, fireplace, and Apoc – Arleen’s Shih Tzu that she’s had since her Army days in Korea in 2006. Arleen’s immediate answer was “of course”, however Apoc had a look of concern on his face that neither of us will ever forget. We wish he could be included in the ceremony and festivities on July 7th, but travel from Arizona to New York will be too difficult for him. Rest assured, we have conferred with him several times since Christmas Eve, and despite his initial reaction, he has given us his blessing. :-)