Celebrate our being Lucky in Love

Kristen and Tom have the quintessential Hallmark movie-esque love story. Kristen was invited to join friends at a St. Patrick's Day Parade. While getting getting ready to leave for the parade, Kristen’s friend told her, “Oh by the way, Garrett invited one of his friend's to join us. I know how you feel about strangers..." Little did Kristen know that stranger turned out to be Tom. Funny, kind, adorable Tom. Kristen doesn't remember much of meeting Tom (It was a St. Patrick's Day parade after all, there was a lot of beer), and Tom continues to staunchly refuse to tell Kristen what drew him to her. What Kristen does remember is leaving the parade, and Shelby asking, "so what did you think of Tom" and trying to play it cool. Which anyone that knows Kristen, Tom included, knows she was anything but cool in that moment. Tom added Kristen on Facebook, and she messaged him to tell him how nice it was to meet him that day... they started talking and haven't ever stopped. They had their first date 3.19.22 at Bubba's 33 in Old Bridge, NJ. Kristen has no idea what Tom told her during that date, because the restaurant was so loud. Afterwards they went to a little hole in the wall bar for drinks and to just talked... and talked for hours. That night ended with a first kiss at midnight in the middle of the street... but it was only just the beginning...

Tom and Kristen may have met through friends at a St. Patrick's Day Parade. But if you ask Kristen, she'll tell you a slightly different, extended, behind the scenes version. As many of you may know, Kristen's mom, Judy, passed away in December of 2019. Kristen was very close with her mom. The day before Judy passed, she asked Kristen to pick up a Christmas gift for Shelby. Judy was preparing for what was thought to be Judy's last Christmas (passing 3 days before), and recognized at that time, Shelby was the most important person in Kristen's life, as she did not have a significant other, and Shelby had been so amazing and helpful while Judy was sick. Judy wanted Kristen to get Shelby a gift from her, similar to gifts she had gotten for her brothers' now wives. Kristen believes that ultimately, her mom just wanted her to be happy, and eventually find someone. She believes that her mom sent Tom to her. It's no secret that Tom is obsessed with the Civil War, but so was Judy. Judy actually believed that in a past life, she was a Southern Belle from South Carolina during the "War of Northern Aggression" and her favorite movie was "Gone With The Wind." It was the first sign that Tom was heaven sent by Kristen's mom. The second, and even bigger sign, was on their first date. At the bar having drinks after dinner, Kristen noticed the expiration date stamped on every beer bottle they drank out of that night was Judy's birthday. Tom always tells Kristen how much he wishes he could've met her mom, and Kristen will tell him she wishes the same, but that Judy knows him, and reminds him that Judy sent him to her.