In 2010, John Owen and Melanie had both returned to New York City. He left Florida and returned to his birthplace of The Bronx. She left Westchester and returned to Brooklyn. They had one friend in common, Sue. And although Sue had never met John in person, only knew him through facebook, she decided that he and Mel would be a great match. This (obviously) sounded crazy to Melanie, but she agreed to chat with him so Sue would leave her alone. Who knew the journey Sue was about to send them on. On a cold night in February 2011, John rode the subway from The Bronx to Brooklyn, not knowing this would soon be his home. John and Mel met outside the subway station in Fort Greene and, since then, have not spent much time apart. Rediscovering New York City as adults, they fell in love with the 5 boroughs (okay 4), and each other, rather quickly. They have visited so many neighborhoods and places in the City, from the top of The Bronx in Van Cortlandt Park to the end of Brooklyn in Coney Island. It has been a journey of ups and downs, much like riding the cyclone. But the journey has proven that they can make it through anything together. They’ve supported each other through all kinds of endeavors and goals, from Mel’s political aspirations, to John Owen running the streets of every borough in the New York City Marathon. Almost all of our guests come from or have ties to The Bronx or Brooklyn. We have guests coming from all over the country, converging on Brooklyn to represent their borough, their neighborhood, their roots, their family. So from Castle Hill to Yankee Stadium, from Sunset Park to Fort Greene, from Harlem to the Village, and Long Island City to Rockaway Beach, and let’s not forget Staten Italy, we say, WELCOME HOME! We are so excited to have you with us as we officially become family and begin the next chapter of our life together. Celebrate with us as #TheBronx&BrooklynUnite5-8-21 #ComeOutandPlay4-25-21