Despite John’s record of references designed for only the most musically informed, this was not one of those: this was a nod to The Band’s ‘Up On Cripple Creek’ - the song Sam (definitely did not remember) had listed in her dating profile. But they prevailed - talked of their shared love for good food and good music - and the first date was set. There was cold rain and snow on that Saturday in February when they first met. Sam walked in (just a few minutes late!) to Momo Sushi Shack in Bushwick, paused for a brief hello, and then went right to the bathroom to change her shoes and add some volume to her luscious mane. Over sake, sushi and beer, they covered a lot of conversation territory: John’s cross-country adventures with Luda, Sam’s adventures with Rice Krispie Treats, past concerts where their paths may have crossed. They discussed what makes a perfect cheeseburger, told stories of their Deadhead fathers, and uncovered that they had been next-door East Village neighbors in the summer of 2014. They finished dinner and made their way (through the snow that was now colder and wetter) to Brooklyn Steel for some New Orleans funk a la Galactic. Laughing the whole date through, they began to discover that night that the things they love most in this world were even better when they were together.

It's December, 2020; John, Sam, Jessie (Sam’s sister) and Micah (Jessie’s boyfriend) had plans to visit Jones Family Farm: a christmas tree utopia in Shelton, CT. Since Sam no longer had to pretend she wasn’t bothered by bad weather, she spent the days leading up to their December outdoor activity carefully monitoring Shelton’s forecast. It looked a lot like that of their first date - a mix of cold rain and snow - peak misery set to arrive just in time for Saturday’s adventure. Sam’s campaign to get the group to reconsider proved unsuccessful: the three were unwavering in their commitment to the plan (even Jessie, which made no sense to Sam). A little freezing, windy rain was not going to rain on their christmas tree parade. What she didn’t know - of course - was that the three were in close cahoots, plotting John’s Saturday proposal. Pulling up to Jones Family Farm on that Saturday afternoon, the weather was exactly as advertised. Bundled and masked, John led the group up their carefully-coordinated walk up Candy Cane Hill. Sam would pick the tree (every Jewish girl’s dream) and John would chop it down (every Jewish girl’s dream).

Frozen (this time in excitement - the weather didn't matter anymore), filled with happy tears and surprise, Sam said yes. And then - from behind the trees - appeared Sam's parents. They caravaned back to Brooklyn to kick off celebrations over their favorite meal, road-tripping down weeks later to continue the celebration tour with John's family, capping off a most memorable Christmas. What wasn’t said in the story was the love and support that both John and Sam constantly feel from friends and family both near and far. Bring a big appetite and your best pair of dancing shoes - we can't wait to share our love with all of you.