We both went to Elon University but had not a clue who each other were. We were on the same spring break, Mark was friends with Sara's friends and Sara was friends with Mark's friends, and there are even pictures of us from school where one of us is in the background! Fast forward to a year after graduating, we had both broken up with our high school significant others, and Sara had told a friend (whose boyfriend was a friend of Mark's) that she thought a guy named Mark Goetzmann was cute. Sara's friend told her boyfriend, who told Mark, and he said oh so casually, "give her my number." My friend replied to her boyfriend, "oh Sara will never do that." A few months later, Mark and Sara both happened to be at the same bar in NYC, still having never really put a face to the name. Mark went up to a mutual friend and said, "who is that?" as he pointed at Sara from across the bar. She stated, "that's Sara Cristal, but she's taken." Our paths did not align again. Another 10 months goes by when Sara runs the Brooklyn Marathon to which she receives an instagram private message, "Congrats! This is awesome." from Mark Goetzmann. And the rest is history...

Our first OFFICIAL date (I know, kids these days...we had been talking for a few months before this) was done in the most Mark Goetzmann way possible. Mark made a reservation at a restaurant called Cecconi's for Sara's birthday. It was beautiful, on the water, and it was a place he had no idea Sara had been dying to try. When we walked in we were taken to our seats at the bar: "Your usual table, Mr. Goetzmann" the hostess stated. Sara was so confused, "oh, so he brings ALL his dates here, huh?" The waiter knew Mark's name, his "usual" cocktail order, then proceeded to bring out multiple courses of amazing food. Sara was CONVINCED something was up. She kept repeatedly pestering Mark - "I know you know this guy." Mark would so confidently respond, "No, I just come here a lot." "Ew, gross. He is such a player." Sara thought. As the night went on, there was nothing left for Sara to do but enjoy the food and then never speak to this guy again, despite having such a good time. At the end of the meal, Mark turned to the waiter and said, "Alright - tell her your last name." "Goetzmann," he replied. "I KNEW IT!" Sara shouted, relieved, as this meant she could actually SEE this guy again. Turns out, Mark's cousin worked at Cecconi's (I'm looking at you Steven Goetzmann!) and he and Mark had set this whole thing up. From then on Sara knew if the rest of their life went anything how this first date started, it would always be a fun adventure.

Sara and Mark moved to Denver, CO in the Fall of 2022. A few months after establishing themselves in the Mile High City, Sara booked a trip back to NYC to see her East Coast Gang. When Sara returned, Mark said, "I am going to book a spring trip to NYC. I can't wait any longer to go back." Sara wasn't into it. She was JUST there. "Couldn't he wait until next fall?" she thought. Mark replied, "I am going no matter what, you can either come or you don't have to." Mark knew there was no way Sara was going to pass up a trip back to NYC. Fast forward a few months later, we were starting to prepare for our trip. Mark mentioned that he and Sara should go to their first date spot, Cecconi's, for lunch Friday as all our friends would be working during the day, and we would have some free time. Sara responded that it was pretty heavy for a lunch and they might have to accept not being able to hit all their spots. Mark stoically agreed. Two weeks out from their trip, Mark mentioned again, "Let's go to Cecconi's. Come on. It's so special to us." Sara agreed but insisted Mark take care of making the plans. On the morning of the proposal, Mark showed NO hints as to the day taking a major turn, and as they walked along the water in front of the restaurant, he got down on one knee. Sara screamed "Shut the F*** up" about 27 times and they were able to enjoy the weekend, celebrating in the place they met, with some of their closest friends and family.