Once upon a time, in a magical twist of fate and a dash of angelic mischief, three playful angels conspired to set a blind date into motion. Unbeknownst to them, they were weaving the beginning of one of the most enchanting love stories ever told. It all began when Joey, Angela’s ever-watchful brother, wanted to brighten up Thanksgiving for one of his dear military friends. AJ, recently back on American soil and feeling a bit adrift without family or close friends nearby, could use a touch of holiday warmth. Joey, with a playful spark in his eye, invited Angela to what she believed was just a simple Thanksgiving dinner—a gathering she was looking forward to with all her heart. But this was no ordinary dinner. AJ, who had long admired Angela from afar, affectionately referring to her as Joey’s “hot sister,” saw this as his chance to turn a casual gathering into something extraordinary. He had specifically asked Joey to keep the true nature of the dinner a secret from Angela. As Angela arrived in her comfy hoodie, jeans, and combat boots, her hair in a relaxed bun, and her face free of makeup, she had no idea of the magic unfolding. The moment she walked in, her heart did a little dance as she and AJ locked eyes for the first time—tall, intriguing, and irresistibly magnetic. The spark was immediate. Angela was utterly captivated by AJ, and it wasn’t long before they discovered a profound connection. They spent the evening lost in conversation, their shared passions for early 2000s emo music, tattoos, travel, and familiar childhood tales knitting their souls together. Time seemed to dissolve as they revealed their deepest selves and fell hopelessly in love. AJ, who had originally planned to leave by early evening to return to New York for work the next day, found himself utterly incapable of parting from Angela. Instead, they stayed up until 6:30 a.m., their hearts alight with newfound love. AJ drove to the four hours to work that morning, not just with the anticipation of his job, but with a heart brimming with joy. It was just four days later, that Angela found herself on a train to New York, ready to spend the weekend with AJ. Sitting in his cozy apartment, wearing one of his T-shirts and savoring Americone Dream ice cream, she was blissfully absorbed in the moment. AJ, watching her with a heart full of admiration, took a deep breath and confessed the love that had been building since their first meeting. “I love you,” he said softly. Without hesitation, Angela responded, “I know; I’ve just been waiting for you to tell me. I love you too!” And so, our love story continued to blossom beautifully over six incredible years. We’ve built a life together, purchasing a home, welcoming a beautiful baby girl, blending our family into a loving unit of five, and cherishing our loyal furry son, Knox, AKA Bobo. And, of course, there’s the sparkling ring that symbolizes our journey and commitment. Now, as we prepare to celebrate this momentous occasion, we invite you, our cherished friends and family, to join us. Help us celebrate the love that began on a blind date Angela was fatefully tricked into, and create unforgettable memories as we step into this next chapter as husband and wife. We can’t wait to share this special day with you! With all our love, Angela & AJ
Our journey to complete our family has been nothing short of a grand adventure, filled with love and serendipity. After months of heartfelt discussions about the perfect time to start trying to conceive a child to complete our blended family—already graced with AJ’s two wonderful children—we made a fateful decision while playing a game over Memorial Day weekend. In a twist of fate and fun, Angela’s victory meant we would begin our journey in June 2020. The following months were a tapestry of anticipation and patience. Though our hearts longed for the moment we’d see those two little lines, the path to conception wasn’t immediate. Yet, our hope remained steadfast. After six long months of waiting, our dreams came true in the most beautiful way. The next chapter was marked by 37 hours of intense labor and anticipation as we awaited the arrival of the tiny soul who would complete our family and fill our hearts to overflowing. Our precious baby girl made her grand entrance on September 13th, 2021, at 12:26 a.m., arriving like a burst of joy and love that changed our world forever. We named her Evelyn Jean, honoring the two incredible women who have shaped our lives. Evelyn, AJ’s grandmother, who embodies unwavering love and strength, and Jean, Angela’s grandmother, who, though passed, remains a symbol of beauty and resilience. Little Evie Jean carries their legacies with grace, warming our hearts and making us proud every single day with her brilliance, strength, humor, and beauty. Evie Jean has truly completed our home, filling it with a boundless joy that only she could bring. We can’t wait for you to meet her, as she will surely steal the show as the most adorable flower girl imaginable! Alongside our darling Evie Jean, you'll also meet our wonderful children: Kensley, AJ’s eldest and Angela’s beautiful bonus daughter. Kensley is not only a stunning young woman but also the best big sister Evie could have ever wished for. She’ll also be standing as Angela's Maid of Honor since she is her cherished mini-best friend and an essential part of the day. Then there's Connor, AJ’s twin and Angela’s handsome bonus son, who will proudly take on the role of Best man. With his big heart and hilarious sense of humor, Connor is a wonderful reflection of his father. They are both eager to share in this celebration of love and family with their dad and their soon-to-be stepmother. We look forward to celebrating with you and showing off our beautiful, growing family! With all our love, Angela & AJ