Jenissa and Chris met on Bumble. So yes, it does work :) If you're not familiar, on Bumble, after you match the woman controls when the first move is made. She has 24 hours to decide if you will communicate after you match. Jenissa waited 23 hours before she said..."hello..." She was actually at her brother Peter's wedding shower when, according to her, she said "I'll throw him a bone and say hi..." After exchanging a few messages on Bumble we decided to go out for drinks. On our first date we met at The Smith in Manhattan for drinks. Many spots in the city later we looked up and it was 3am on a work night and we were still hanging out and laughing. Even though we grew up hundreds of miles apart, in different worlds, our conversations always flowed easily and we absolutely loved each others company. We spent many nights and days exploring NYC together. Chris would always joke with Jenissa and tell her where he would show her around in "her city..."that day(Jenissa is from Long Island, NY and Chris is from Washington D.C.). I do have to credit Jenissa with taking me to my favorite pizza spot in the city to this day(John's of Bleecker St. if you're wondering...)! Our dating was a whirlwind of many days and nights together in NYC. We were always searching for a new spot to eat and drink or watch live music. She would also take me to her gym classes at Equinox and kick my butt from time to time. We'd always start out with a plan and then somehow stay out waaaaay later than we should have on work nights. As Jenissa would always say...it was "just easy..." with us. After being inseparable and surviving the pandemic together in NYC in two tiny apartments(we alternated between hers for a few weeks then mine for a few weeks for sanity) we knew we couldn't be without each other and could survive anything together!!

We started talking about the next level of our relationship and it became clear that we were both on the same page. So it's 2021 and I had a few engagement ideas to pull off in NYC. The key was how do I involve her friends or family!? If anybody knows Jenissa, then you know that family and friends are the most important things to her. First Attempt: We visited Miami in November with her youngest brother and his wife and I thought this would be the perfect time....BUT the ring wasn't ready yet so that was a no go. Second Attempt: The next attempt was a get together at a winery with her high school friends on Long Island. I had it all planned. I'll call her parents and have them pick me up at the train station on Long Island and surprise her with a beautiful proposal with her friends and family at a beautiful winery...PERFECT...! She decides last minute to not make the trek out to Long Island for the winery get together. Abort...! Third time is a charm: Christmas Eve is always at her parents house on Long Island so this would be perfect with all of her family there. At the end of the night I made a "family speech" that concluded with me down on one knee asking Jenissa to be my life partner forever. She obviously said YES!! We can't wait to see all of you in Brooklyn on September 3rd, 2022 to celebrate with us in the next step in our adventure!