After matching on Bumble with very little fanfare, an in-person meetup was scheduled at Nick’s, a favorite local dive bar in downtown Worcester. Unbeknownst to the soon-to-be happy couple, there just so happened to be live jazz at Nick’s that night! (Live music a favorite of Erica’s, and Jazz a favorite of Justin’s). The first round was an Allagash, and very soon both knew this was something special. Over drinks and what turned out be a private jazz show, they chatted long into the night and plans were made to see each other again soon…

Having only been on a total of five dates, things got real for these two right about the same time things got real for everyone else: early March, 2020. As the pandemic spread and everything was shutting down, Justin invited Erica to crash at his place, ‘for a week or two until things settle down.’ Erica accepted the offer and never left!

While on a walk with Levon, they saw posters for fireworks at India Point Park. Erica, lover of spontaneity, was very excited about this, and the wheels started turning in Justin’s head: a cute picnic watching the fireworks might be an opportune time to pop the question…During the fireworks, when Erica was turned around, Justin got the ring out, got down on one knee, and said ‘Look at this sparkly one over here!’ Erica turned around, saw the ring and said yes! They took a selfie to commemorate the occasion, forgot the flash was on, and ended up with a VERY classic photo. The rest is history!