Matthew and Marisa have been in each other's lives since March of 2015. They met through mutual friends while up in Syracuse - Marisa at Syracuse University, and Matthew nearby at Le Moyne. After graduation, Marisa moved to Manhattan and the two kept in constant communication, namely over Facebook messenger because Matt had yet to get an iPhone... The new graduates spent time getting to know each other exploring art exhibits from Manhattan to Queens, on trips through Prospect & Central Parks and brunches at Gemini Diner. As their friendship grew, they realized they may be moving towards something else entirely. After two years of bopping around the 5 boroughs as best friends, Marisa and Matthew officially started dating in 2017 - and the rest is history!

If you know Matt, you know keeping a secret is not his strongest suit...so the impending engagement was very much on Marisa's radar. The couple woke up on a Saturday in January - a morning which they had *previously planned* would be a perfect day to travel from Brooklyn to Manhattan to take a walk around Central Park. They were both giddy "for no reason". They dressed up, did their hair, make up, the whole nine, all for a walk in the park. 😏 They moseyed around a bit until Matt ultimately led Marisa to an area of the park they affectionately call "Puzzle's Field", after their first foster dog who got adopted in that very spot. As Matt guided Marisa into the field, all she could think was how muddy it was. If Matt was doing *this* here and now, his poor knee was about to be caked in mud. Alas, Matt knelt down - right in the mud - and pulled a box containing the most perfect, one of a kind ring from his pocket as he popped the question.