As freshmen at the University of Pittsburgh in 2006, Mary and Jon were placed 2 doors apart on the 8th floor of Sutherland Hall. Though they saw each other at various icebreakers and floor meetings, Mary eventually set the wheels in motion which got them to where they are today. Ever present and active in many clubs and activities, Mary decided to go dorm door to dorm door to get students registered to vote. Jon didn't hesitate to sign-up and leverage it as an excuse to meet up and chat with Mary again. They bonded over people-watching around campus, Pitt basketball, and the rigors of obtaining a degree in neuroscience. They have been inseparable ever since!

Mary went on vacation with the Faix family to Long Beach Island. Midway through the trip Jon and Mary decided they needed a special night out to themselves. Jon treated Mary to a pick and eat blue crab feast (a lifelong favorite food of Mary's), and she could already tell something was up. Apparently Jon was being "too kind and patient" throughout the entire day. After going out for dessert, Jon ushered Mary to a spot they discovered earlier in the week. It was a bench overlooking Manahawkin Bay at the end of West 28th Street where they could watch the lights reflect across the water. It was here that Jon worked up the courage to ask Mary to marry him, and lucky for him she said yes!