Even though we had both been living in Red Bank for about 3 years, we did not officially meet until our first date at Danny's Steakhouse on a Friday night in April, 2016.* Prior to a first date, a mutual friend had planted the seed that both of us should meet. Anthony contacted Jena on a dating app and started off the conversation by telling her he knew where she lived.. in truth, he did because our mutual friend had lived in Jena's old Red Bank apartment before she did. We soon came to find out that we had a lot in common. After dinner and drinks at Danny's, we wandered over the Dublin House and were there until closing. Neither of us had ever been on a first date that lasted so long, so we knew this was different. The Sunday of that weekend, Anthony met Jena at the Red Bank Street Fair, and held her hand for the first time. The rest just happened, and here we are more than 5 years later.. <3 * Little did we know, we really met for the first time at Jena's housewarming party when she first moved to Red Bank. Apparently he was sleeping on the couch and she kicked him out..

In the fall of 2019, we were planning to make a move out of Red Bank to a new house in Tinton Falls. After our first date, we always celebrated special occasions like anniversaries and New Year's Eve at Danny's Steakhouse. Anthony suggested that we should go to Danny's to celebrate us moving to the new house and starting a new chapter together. Jena thought that was suspiciously cute, but went along with it. Any doubts Jena had were thrown as Mr. Mauti invited us for dinner, and we were planning to meet up with friends after dinner. (But thankfully Jena painted her nails, just in case!). At Danny's, we had a delicious steak dinner and talked about the future. After dinner plates were cleared, Anthony told Jena he got her something to celebrate the new house, and pulled out a wrapped bottle. As Jena tore the paper, it took her a moment to process that the bottle was engraved with the words, "Jena, will you marry me?" When she looked to Anthony, he was already down on one knee with a ring in his hand. Neither one of us remember if Anthony even asked or if Jena said yes, but the whole restaurant applauded for us as Anthony put the ring on her finger. As the initial shock of the moment wore off, Jena asked Anthony where he had the ring hidden all throughout dinner.. the answer, in the top of his cowboy boot.