Our Story
How We Met
Joe's POV
We met for the first time on 7/31/22 at St. Joe's Church in the West Village - the same place we are getting married! In a modern twist on a classic "dropping the handkerchief" move, Tina followed me on Instagram. I messaged her and we decided to meet up for church that upcoming Sunday at St. Joe's. After a friendly first meeting, I asked Tina to coffee. She politely declined (I wasn't salty), but I knew it wasn't over. The following week we were both at a young adult's event for St. Patrick's Cathedral, at Connolly's Bar. It was there that we really hit it off. Tina texted me the day after to tell me that her schedule had cleared up and that coffee sounded great! We started dating that August and the rest is history!
How We Met
Tina's POV
I heard dating in NYC was impossible and was determined against all odds to find a man of character. I said a Hail Mary and stalked the followers of an Instagram page for young adult Catholic events. I came across one cute, normal looking guy. We had mutual followers - me being an FSU grad and him being from Tallahassee. I reached out to those friends for reviews and decided to strike (I'm just a curious girl - he was on private and I hit him with a YOLO follow). We met up at church - he was leaning over a stand holding a pamphlet in the annex and in jumpscare fashion went HEY I'M JOE! I was nervous, what the heck did I get myself into. He asked me for coffee after mass, but I needed to see him again before obliging. We met up at a bar the next week after mass at St. Patrick's, and after a couple drinks, I thought wait - this guy is hilarious!!! I developed a raging crush and the rest is history.
Our Engagement Story
9.15.25
Tina was gaslit to dress in her cutest outfit to go to the Great Gatsby on Broadway - by her roommate that got engaged just two weeks prior. Joe had a sudden urge to go to church before the show at St. Joe's, alright I guess he was feeling extra holy! Tina texted her best friend Paige on the way to mass "I love my life and friends here in NYC". Little did she know, she flew in to surprise her. After mass, Joe was twiddling his thumbs in the pew and asked to pray a rosary. Aww wow, this guy is extra really holy! Turns out the photographer was just running late, and this guy needed to buy some time. We were there for a while, and the janitor even tried to kick us out (you can see him in the photos him trying to kick us out a second time). Joe was sweating bullets by this time, and Tina was onto something. Joe gave up and said, "Alright...why don't you just close your eyes and say a prayer." He then pulled out the ring, and proposed in front of the altar of the church we first met! We then took a cab to Central Park for more alleged proposal photos. Tina was shocked to find all of their friends somehow hiding inside of one willow tree to surprise her. The happiest music was playing, the sun was shining, champagne was popped, and it was the best day of their life!!! (so far...)