Mike and Jill met during the best time to meet people: the pandemic (can you sense the sarcasm?). Both were using dating apps. Prospects were dwindling, and the pool was small. If you want a synopsis, just ask Jill. But then, after some reflection, Jill went on those apps and saw a picture of a dude holding a butcher knife next to a pumpkin next to his dear, sweet niece looking on in horror. “Cool, he likes kids”, Jill thought. Jill initiated, Mike bit, and there they were, off to East Branch Brewing. Mike approached Jill with a Yankees face mask on, and Jill had to question everything she stood for as she was friends with many passionate Phillies fans. When this passed, they went up to the rooftop bar where they had some drinks, like you do. Over time, it proceeded to get colder but neither mentioned being cold until much later because that’s what you do when you first meet someone apparently. From there, they decided to go to PJ Whelihan’s for some food, more talking, and room temperature seating. And that was it. Simple as that. That’s how it started. Throughout their time together, Jill learned that Mike wasn’t as good at escape games as she was led to believe, and Mike learned that Jill is not a morning person and should not be spoken to before 8:00am. Jill also learned that Mike was a real Danny Tanner who enjoyed vacuuming and hand washing the dishes. And Mike learned that if he waits long enough, Jill will scrub down a toilet. As a pair, they have set fire to a cooking range while making one of 63 Hello Fresh meals in the winter, have a mutual interest in collecting items that are most likely meant for children (Jill - Barbies; Mike - Funko Pops), and they have also proved that a Phillies and Yankees fan can indeed co-habitat. Together they share an appreciation for whiskey, frozen appetizers, 20/20 documentaries, waking up at 5:00am to go to the beach, and keeping the lint trap clean. Oh, and also each other :) We are excited we made it here! It only took Mike 40 years and Jill, 37! We hope to see you December 2! Cheers!

Last December 2022, Mike and Jill went to Gettysburg for a weekend getaway. Jill had been before twice during the holiday season, and the town is quite charming at Christmas, albeit the history there, which is also quite interesting in itself, but we digress. Jill would be lying if she said she wasn’t wondering if this was going to be “the moment” when everything happened because girls are always waiting for this stuff, but in the same thought she figured, “Nah, too obvious”. An observation that was made during the weekend was that Jill’s best friend Rosina was actually reachable. If you know Rosina, she takes a trip to outer space for about 5 months, and then you hear from her when she gets back, but here she was…talking to Jill A LOT. That wasn’t as suspicious as you’d think. But it became more so when Jill looked down at Mike’s phone at one point and saw that Rosina had texted him. Whhaaatt? So, thoughts ensued in Jill’s brain, however she still thought, “This is strange, but nah”. Mike and Jill went on a walking ghost tour that evening. Afterwards, they got some festive peppermint icecream from Kilwins and walked back to the town circle. The town circle with the huge Christmas tree in the center square, where earlier that day Mike had suggested taking a picture by it later that evening after the ghost tour. “No,” said Jill. Too many people, and no, we are not walking up to the tree for this picture, no one does because the round about of cars is constantly moving. So, Jill compromised and said, “Ok Mike, but I’m taking the picture on the sidewalk here”. As Mike and Jill walked toward the center of town after the ghost tour, Mike had the ring in a box, right in the pocket of his coat, nervous as ever that it would fall out or that a ghost of Gettysburg past would come steal it. Mike barely spoke on the walk back on account of his mouth being too dry and he being so nervous that he could barely speak. In the meantime, Jill was not suspicious. So, here they were, at the town square, by the tree, drunken bar crawls surrounding them. Jill said, “Ok Mike, I’ll take the picture now” (see gallery). After this, Mike came out with the most original line Jill had ever heard: “Oh, my shoe is untied.” You can imagine what happened next because Jill sure as hell realized his shoe was NOT untied, as she stared down at him while saying, “You’re doing this here?! You’re doing this here?!” because Jill told Mike to not propose in any public place, so a public town square was perfect. In his defense, the bar crawls were nowhere to be seen and neither was anyone else. It was a nice private moment, in a large public space. Way to go, Mike! If you want to know what Mike said, you never will because Mike has no idea what he said to Jill, and Jill has no idea either, but she must of said yes, because they’re getting married, and you’re all invited! After this, they sat on a bench and ate their ice cream…The end 😊