We're getting married!

Jung and I first met each other in English class freshman year of high school. I was a quiet and reserved student, while Jung was, well, the opposite of that. One of my first memories and later confessions to Jung was that I found her loud and obnoxious in class, constantly annoying our poor Literature teacher with dozens of questions. Fast forward to senior year of high school, I was working at Big Y gathering carriages outside when I saw Jung furiously scrubbing a bumper at the adjacent FL Roberts. We discussed our summer plans and learned we were both going to UMass Amherst and both assigned to live in Southwest. As another customer rolled up for a car wash, we said our goodbyes and agreed to meetup one day at school. That meetup happened sooner than later at school, when Jung invited me over to her building for a crazy floor party. In no time, I found myself singing and noodle-y dancing in unison to Backstreet Boy's "I Want It That Way". Clearly my impressive performance struck a chord with Jung's heart. It took several more dates over campus dining halls, rattlesnake pasta, Wings Over Amherst, countless episodes of S&TC before I had the courage to make things official. On New Year’s Eve 2005, I invited Jung to a late night showing of “Rumor Has It” (which by the way, is a terrible movie). Jung and I left the theater as midnight approached. As someone who is not of many words, I wished Jung a Happy New Year and shyly asked if she would go out with me. She said yes and the rest is history.

Tom and I grew up in Ludlow, attended the same schools, but had a handful of interactions. Tom lost a dramatic amount of weight one year. Genuinely concerned, I asked if he was being healthy. Exact words: "Are you anorexic?" Another time, the class held an 80s dance. I tried convincing him to go, among many others, as it was on the verge of being cancelled. I wasn't persuasive enough because he didn't buy a ticket (but we sold enough to hold the event and it was a blast for whatever it's worth). The summer leading into college, I recall the conversation Tom mentions in the Big Y parking lot. There was nothing extraordinary about it. I can't tell you the specifics of what we discussed, but it was enough to make me reach out to Tom when we got to UMass. Come Fall of '05, I messaged Tom on Facebook (which was totally new, cool, and exclusive at the time) inviting him to swing by for one of the parties I hosted in my shared dorm room. There was a lot of singing, dancing, and drinking, but I saw a different and goofy side of Tom that I hadn't seen before. We exchanged numbers on our flip phones. Tom was persistent about hanging out. There was lots of texting and witty Facebook banter before I finally gave in. One hang out led to another, and pretty soon we were eating at the dining hall and studying at W.E.B. DuBois Library together. Add a lot of rom-com movie nights. (He hates those types of movies, but managed to sit through all of them with me.) Tom picked up a part-time job at Big Y where he made pizzas and subs. Every Sunday night, he'd swing by with a delicious sub that he made and we'd watch football together. He won me over with food. We went to dinner and a movie on NYE '05. It felt different from all the other times we hung out, but I couldn't place my finger on it. At the stroke of midnight, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I remember thinking my heart beat sounding so loud and wondering if he could hear it. Tom has made my heart beat loudly ever since.

Jung and Tom had been together for 7+ years. Jung didn't think they'd actually get married, but being a Type A personality, informed Tom if he wanted to get married in their lifetime, he'd have to ask before the 10 year mark. She was accepting of the fact that they would stay partners throughout life- having kids (maybe grandkids) and living happily ever after- unmarried. As they entered their 9th year together, Jung reminded Tom she intended to stay true to her word. "I love you and we'll stay together either way, but if marriage is important to you, ask before 10 years." Naturally, in true Tom Lopata form, 3 days before the 10 year mark, he asked Jung to marry him. She didn't expect it. Post-Christmas 2015, Jung and Tom took a trip to Aruba. It was a vacation where nothing was planned and they chose to go with the flow, making it up each day. On, 12/29, after an eventful day at the beach, they found a delicious spot for for dinner. They ate outside and enjoyed the presence of one another- as well as the lizard that preoccupied part of Tom's attention. After dessert, realizing they consumed too much to sit idle, they made a last minute decision to watch the sunset from one of the highest points on the Happy Island. The sun was very close to setting- in 20 minutes, they dashed to the top and were drenched in sweat. After arriving at the summit, Jung and Tom took time to cool off and to enjoy the view. Tom had been insistent about bringing his backpack with him throughout the trip. Jung only learned later it's where the ring was stored. Tom felt the moment was right and decided to propose; however, in the same moment he was about to, Jung insisted on taking pictures. He was forced to hide the ring behind his back and they now have photos where Tom looks uncomfortable while Jung is gleefully smiling. Tom got down on one knee. Until seeing the ring, Jung didn't realize what was happening. He asked if she would marry him. She said, "Shut up" and inevitably, "YES!"