Come for the love, stay for the party!

It all started on a warm winter night in 2019 in St. John (yes, I know, they’re all warm). Colleen left Angela’s house after their annual Christmas cookie decorating night and decided to go in town to share some with their coworkers at Longboard. Colleen and Angela decided to stop at Tap and Still for one quick drink before heading home. They ran into Thomas, who was already there, and they all started talking. They had finished their drinks and were ready to head out until Thomas convinced Colleen to stay for just “one more” at Quiet Mon. At Quiet Mon, they ran into Damia, and one drink turned into a few more as they all spent the rest of the night talking and laughing. They then exchanged numbers. The next day Thomas texted Colleen to set up their first date. After figuring out the details, they decided on French 75’s (coincidentally one of Colleen and Thomas’s favorite drinks) at Hawksnest, one of the beaches on the North Shore. As they say, time flies when you’re having fun, and before they knew it, Thomas had to get back to work the evening shift. But Thomas had a different plan. Upon arriving at work, Thomas was able to convince his friend and coworker, Yoel, to cover his shift so they could continue their date. In the infamous words of Yoel, “I’ll do it only as long as you invite me to your wedding one day” (don’t worry, he is invited 😉). From there on out, Thomas and Colleen spent most of their free time together. The following months were filled with happy hours, more beach dates, football Sundays (at Damia and Liston’s house), home cooked dinners in, fancy dinners out and movie nights, all while balancing work and life. Then, on February 2, 2020 (Super Bowl Sunday), at Quiet Mon Pub, Thomas asked Colleen to make it official. Just a month later, the world shut down with Covid, and Colleen and Thomas took advantage of all the time they were able to spend together. The quarantine only strengthened their relationship and even blessed them with two amazing Kiki’s, Ary and Alfie. Through the ups and downs, their relationship was the stability in an uncertain time and continues to be a source of security through all that life throws their way- including the passing of Alfie and their transition from Island life to stateside living. In June 2022, Thomas and Colleen moved to Charlotte, NC and both quickly found jobs. They added Ziggy, a new Kiki to their family in the fall and spent the holidays with their families for the first time in years. Then on March 3, 2023, after months of *light suggestion* from Colleen, Thomas proposed in their apartment, filled with little tea light candles and sunflowers (one of Colleen's favorite flowers). Colleen very quickly and very eagerly said YES, and just like that, they started the next chapter of their lives. Both Thomas and Colleen are excited to take the next step as husband and wife and are thrilled to be able to celebrate their love with their family and closest friends.