Liz and AJ first crossed paths in seventh grade. AJ had just moved to West Deptford—Liz’s hometown—and his first day was… memorable. He and his brother, Luke, accidentally took the wrong bus and wound up at the wrong school. By the time AJ finally burst into first period, Liz pretty much had no choice but to remember him. They stayed friends all through middle and high school, which is surprising because Liz said no when AJ asked her to go with him to their senior prom (she already had a prom pact with another friend). It wasn’t until the summer after graduation that things shifted. In the summer of 2018, they started spending real time together: meeting each other’s families (who they now love like their own), taking trips to Jersey beaches, going on sushi dates, and making late-night runs to Insomnia Cookies in Philly. Somewhere between the car rides and the cookie crumbs, Liz had a moment of clarity. She put on Taylor Swift, expecting the usual groans. Instead, AJ said: “I love Taylor Swift.” His favorite album was 1989. Liz knew two things right then: He had taste. He was the one. The years that followed weren’t always easy, but they were theirs. Liz went to Saint Joseph’s University, and AJ played Junior Hockey in Allentown before moving on to Rowan University. Weekends together became their lifeline—debriefing the week, helping each other survive school, watching AJ’s games in countless rinks, and binge-watching Game of Thrones like it was a full-time job. They’ve packed a lot of life into these years: Philly sports games, more sushi dates than they can count, movie nights, endless Friends rewatches, and trips to new places (fun fact: Ohio was their favorite). But their favorite place has always just been wherever the other one is. AJ proposed on December 7th, 2024 - fitting, because the number 7 has always shown up in their story. Liz’s birthday is April 7th, AJ’s is December 17th, their anniversary is August 27th, both their last names have seven letters, and they met in 7th grade. AJ even designed Liz’s ring with seven stones. Naturally, their wedding date, 11/14, also adds up to 7 (yes, they did the math). AJ proposed in a way that shows how much he really knows about Liz: her love for her family, especially her nieces. With their five nieces holding "Will You Marry Me?" signs, standing in front of Christmas trees with ornaments of memories from seven years of dating, it was the most beautiful way she could've ever imagined. Liz and AJ both love fall—the cozy weather, the colors, football and scary movies, family time, the vibe—so they knew they wanted to get married somewhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Now they can’t wait to celebrate their marriage with the people they love most, and officially start the next chapter of the story they’ve been laying the foundation for since the seventh grade.