They met while bowling with a group of friends in A2 aka Ann Arbor for the non-locals... Long story short - One of Joanna's friends pulled her aside and said, “Hey, I think someone likes you.” She immediately blushed, as her friend subtly pointed out John, sitting at the table behind the bowling lanes chatting with his friends over a few drinks. As everyone was getting ready to start the second round of bowling, John came over and sat next to Joanna and asked, "What do your tattoos mean?" She responded, "Each of my tattoo designs have a personal memory or value tied to it.” Before she had a chance to explain further, it was her turn to bowl. Later that night as we wrapped up our last round of bowling, John asked for a ride home (because he rode with a friend), smooth move John... ;) When Joanna arrived at John's apartment to drop him off on her way home, he invited her in... she declined. But then John convinced her to hang out for a little bit because he said he plays guitar! Of course, she was easily intrigued by that (music is her happy place)! He played songs for her, she sang along, and it just seemed so natural to the both of them, it was almost like they had met before, played songs together before. They had conversations that evening that left Joanna intrigued by John’s kindness and respect towards him, without knowing him completely... things seemed to be as if they had already known each other in a past life! Music brought them together, genuine love and kindness have made them closer and closer as time goes on.

John proposed to Joanna! Joanna was mildly suspicious that John was up to something about a year prior to him proposing... only because while on one of their strolls around the neighborhood, John asked, “What kind of jewelry do you like?” and Joanna responded, but with uncertainty as to WHY he was asking… “Yes, but the non-traditional/kind of weird stuff.” Which probably was a confusing answer for any guy to hear… hahaha! What does non-traditional/weird jewelry even mean??! Joanna started to assume that he was asking about jewelry style so that maybe his Mom could make something custom for her as a Christmas gift that year (2018). In 2019, John and Joanna’s friends started planning a trip to Europe for the summer. On that trip, the first stop was Paris! Amazing place by the way. Where did John propose? The gardens of Versailles!!! I mean, ok… how cool is that. Why Paris? Because John had remembered how beautiful and unique it really is from his childhood when his parents took him there and wanted to share the experience with Joanna and some of her friends so that it would be memorable, and special for them both. How special is that! Also, thank you to everyone who kept this plan a secret for SO LONG!!!

As said by one of Joanna's favorite actors, Will Smith: “You cannot make a person happy,” he began. “You can make a person smile, you can make a person feel good, you can make a person laugh but whether or not a person is happy deeply, totally and utterly out of your control.” He continued, “I remember the day I retired. I said to Jada, ‘I retire, I retire from trying to make you happy. I need you to go make yourself happy and just prove to me that it’s even possible.’ After we cracked the hell up, we started talking about it and we came into this false romantic concept that somehow when we got married, we would become one. We realized that we were two completely separate people on two completely separate, individual journeys and that we were choosing to walk separate journeys, together.” “Her happiness was her responsibility and my happiness was my responsibility and we decided that we were going to find our individual internal, private joy and then we were going to present ourselves to the relationship and to each other, already happy. Not coming to each other, begging without empty cups out demanding that she fill my cups, and demanding that she meet my needs. It’s unfair and it’s kind of unrealistic and can be destructive to place the responsibility for your happiness on anybody other than yourself.”

Nothing is ever promised, but we can dream and dream big. House? Yes Kids? Yes (2 please) Hobbies? Travel the globe, join a golf club (someday), start a band... well Joanna is still trying to convince John to do this w/ her. ;) Pets? Yes, Joanna is definitely a nature freak. Work? Both of us do, and will continue to for our goals and dreams. Lifestyle? Live in the moment, plan for the future, and it's ok when plans change. All that matters is the memories we make, the love we share, and the friends we share it with.