Through mutual friends Bryant and Marilyn first learned about each other in grammar school. Bryant claims he recalls his 8th grade year vividly, so much that he confessed his stalker tendencies began when he first laid eyes on a gorgeous 7th grader, Marilyn, as she would rush home from school (her parents where really strict and she never hung out in the school yard after classes ended). Their story together first started in high school when smarty-pants, Marilyn, entered Bryant’s geometry class as a freshman (she had completed freshman algebra during her 8th grade year… what a nerd!). On the first day of geometry class they exchanged their first words that would change their lives forever. Bryant remembers taking the second seat closest to the classroom door before Marilyn walked in and asked him if the seat in front of him was taken; smirking he said no and insisted she take the seat. Geometry class was always exciting for Bryant because he knew for at least 40 minutes he could stare at Marilyn geek out about circumferences, areas and perimeters. Unfortunately, for Marilyn it wasn’t always sunny and bright as her geeky nerves would cause her to swing her feet leaving black rubber streaks on the floor which earned her the names “Hot-wheels, Matchbox and Nascar” (she loved her black Nike Air Force Ones). After a few weeks of staring at the back of Marilyn’s head, Bryant mustered up the courage to ask her to be his girlfriend by gaining access to her locker, with help of her friend, and leaving her some flowers and a note with the following question “would you like to be my baby gurl?” (so much for courage lol). Marilyn said “Yes!” of course.

But unfortunately their puppy love would not last long because both were ridiculously shy, which meant no kisses or holding hands, and more importantly because Marilyn’s parents were still extremely strict (it didn’t help that Marilyn would scare Bryant’s pant off by telling him her family and family friends were posted in every corner of Union City… talk about paranoia). Their short relationship consisted of: hanging out at 17th street park during lunch, with friends of course; walking Marilyn to pick up her younger sister, Jasmine (who outed Bryant as “the stalker”), from school; and lastly of very short chats on AIM between BaDBoY4LF12 and H0tAngel33. A silly fight caused them break up and lose touch for many years... until 2015.

After almost 12 years of little to no communication with each other their story picks up in 2015. Bryant having learned Marilyn was single and ready to mingle, began his calculated ploy to woe Marilyn with a very subtle comment on one of her Instagram posts (“smooth criminal” his boys told him). After gaining her attention he then uses her skills as an excuse to spur a conversation, he asked if she knew anyone who could assist him in hemming his pants (very smooth!); he may have used SLS - short leg syndrome as a cause for why his pants were a tad long on him. Marilyn recalls thinking “OMG, what a weirdo!” but agreed to help anyways (pants were eventually hemmed, but many months after they started dating). Their reunion and first ever hangout came on a beautiful summer day (August 16th to be precise); Marilyn was on her way back from a refreshing day at the beach when she was invited to Pier 13 in Hoboken. After some persuasion by their friends and Bryant’s chivalrous offer to order her an Uber, she caved. Bryant often describes that day as one of the most memorable days of his life because his old emotions for Marilyn resurfaced and before the end of the night he had fallen in love (what really tipped him over the edge was her funky robot at 1 Republik). However, Marilyn, scared, immediately attempted to friend-zone Bryant.

A few days passed and Bryant, tipsy in a NYC rooftop bar, convinced her over the phone to hang out again. After a few days of talking and texting Bryant once again worked up the courage to ask her out on an official date (1st date ever!). After a few days he had finally finished his ultimate first date: 1st a party cruise one the Hudson; 2nd a quick stop at Continentals Bar; 3rd Roof top party in Soho; 4th A bite of perfect Brooklyn pizza; and finally watching the sunrise by Montauk Lighthouse. Of course their date was a major success! They had amazing time on the party cruise and shared some laughs while Bryant showcased his happy feet moves at Central Bar before their night took an unanticipated turn! In a fit of joy fueled by alcohol, Bryant, dropped the “I Love You” bomb while sobering up with a cheeseburger. According to Marilyn, Bryant refused to eat his McDonalds meal, he slammed his burger on the table like a child, until she said IT back to him lol (Bryant still has no recollection of that precious moment, but Marilyn insists it is true. He does vaguely remember slow dancing with her to Nat King Cole in the middle of an NYC street on their way to the path). After two months of dating Bryant talks to Marilyn’s father requesting his permission to date his daughter and with his blessing on October 16th, exactly two months after they reacquainted, he invited Marilyn to a “made up” elegant event. Bryant had made reservations at Boqueria in Soho and right before midnight he confesses his scheme and officially asks her to be his “baby gurl” once again. A few years past and...

On September 16, 2018 Bryant sent Marilyn on a scavenger hunt, and boy did he make her work for the ring. Bryant chose several locations of sentimental value. At almost all locations Marilyn was greeted by a familiar face who would deliver a cryptic package and a brief note. Please see her engagement adventure below. Marilyn attended Sunday mass and visited grandma as usual. Once there, Grammy gave her a package with a note and a borrowed phone. The package consisted of a puzzle picture frame with coordinates and a random key. Marilyn was instructed to plug in the coordinates in google maps and follow the directions dictated on the borrowed phone. Thomas Edison School, their grammar school, was her first stop. She was greeted by Joshua and Kevin Bryant's long time neighbors who stalled her a bit before handing her first note which explained to her that in that very same spot she was standing Bryant first laid eyes on her. Marilyn then had to walk to her next location which turned out to be Emerson High school (Bryant had coordinated to have the school opened on a Sunday). Marilyn was greeted by one of two best friends, Christine, who took her inside to Bryant and Marilyn's old geometry classroom. Marilyn was then picked up by long time "beach boyfriends," the Appelgrens twins and of course Ray. But this was not any ordinary pick up... She was basically snatched! they were instructed to blind fold her and drop off several blocks away from her next location. At drop off they all would open the package and plug in the coordinates before letting her loose to ensure she was heading to the right direction. (Thank goodness they followed instructions because they almost ended up relocating her to some place in Jersey City).

At Pier 13, Marilyn was greeted by Bryant's "brother from another mother" Jamie and his wife Gabby. Here Jamie presented her with yet another package (puzzle frame) and note which told her that this is the place where they reunited and shared their first kiss. The beach boyfriends snatched her up again and drove her to a whole other state... New York. She was dropped near Port Authority and had to make her way to Spyglass rooftop bar. It was at this bar that Bryant convinced Marilyn to consider a date. Marilyn was picked up again by the kidnappers and drove her to a park near Noho. The next location she walked to turned out to be Continental Bar. There she was met by her other best friend Roe who gave her the next clue and note which explained that location is home to the first I Love You!. Once again, Marilyn was picked up by her beach boos. The next location revealed to be none other than Boqueria in Soho. This was the restaurant he asked her to officially be his girlfriend. Marilyn recalls thinking "wow finally the last destination thank goodness because I am starving" But little did she know there was more in her adventure. After having the same appetizers and drinks from our first night there (also sitting in the same table we sat in), she was notified via text to step outside. As she walks out she found the boys again, (haha poor fellas they drove her around everywhere that day). They blind folded her again and drove her for the last time.

Once she arrived to the next location the blind fold was taken off and she found herself among close friends, Jennifer Appelgran Guimares and both her friends Roe and Christine. They did her makeup and fixed her hair. Then they blind folded her and dressed her in a reconstructed Ariel's blue dress from 'The Little Mermaid' (Marilyn recalls thinking how awkward being dressed by grown women) They then took her to what was the final destination, 17th street Park (the place where Bryant had wished to give her a kiss when they dated in high school). Marilyn was guided by Christine, Roe, and Ray to Bryant. Still blind folded Bryant embraced her and placed an ear bud from his headphones and asked her for a dance. They danced to their song 'Sunny' by Bobby Hebb. Marilyn still clueless simply thought he was planning an elaborate date, which they do for each other from time to time. At this point however Marilyn recalls freaking out a bit because Bryant was singing and dancing with her but he was shaking and crying a little. Just then Marilyn begins to focus in on the background noises. She begins to hear click click click, someone was taking pictures. Then she hears someone sobbing (who turned out to be her little sister Britney). This is when it finally clicked for Marilyn and she thinks holy crap this is happening, this is it!!! The song ends and Bryant takes off the blind fold and goes down on one knee and pops the question. Marilyn of course says yes and turns around to find herself surrounded by their closest friends and family. Oh and if you had forgotten.. the random key opened a chest full of currency and pictures of them and at each location.... The End.