It was the first day of Freshman year at Gannon University during Freshman orientation in Erie, PA. We were in the lobby of Finegan Freshman Dorm playing Spoons card game. We became friends with bonding over late night McDonald runs, Kent State Visit, Pink Lemonade, movie nights, pranks and nerf gun wars. We remained friends after graduation with Neila remaining at Gannon for Physical Therapy Graduate school and Jessie remaining in Erie, PA for Medical school at LECOM.

It was a girls weekend in New York City for Neila with her friends Bree, Veronica and Aishu. The group planned for a day in the city with enjoying good food, friends and Central Park. Neila thought Jessie was staying the weekend in Erie, PA with his friend Vinnie. Little did she know Jessie was driving from Erie to New York City for 7 hours with driving through a snow storm. Bree, Veronica and Aishu knew of the big day plans, and Neila was completely clueless. After having an authentic Mexican dinner Bree announced they were going to take a walk through Central Park, which confused Neila completely because their bus was in the opposite direction. As Neila walked through Central Park she rounded the corner and saw Jessie in a horse and carriage where Jessie got down on one knee and asked Neila to marry him. And she said YES!

After deciding to postpone their wedding celebrations due to COVID-19 Jessie and Neila decided to proceed with becoming husband and wife on May 2, 2020 as originally planned. Due to the beginning of being in lock down in New York they had to go through many hoops and obstacles to obtain a marriage license when the court house was closed and obtaining an officiant. Just in time for May 2, 2020 they were able to obtain a marriage license, an officiant and a couple of friends to be witnesses. At Watkins Glen State Park they had a small ceremony on May 2, 2020 with family members being present via Zoom. It was a beautiful spring afternoon with something old, and something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Enjoy an evening with Neila and Jessie to renew their vows followed by a celebration of their marriage.