Jason and Val's love story began in September 2018 in Langmuir Hall at Stony Brook University. All Jason had to do was show up with his Beatles haircut and acoustic guitar. Val asked Jason to play "The Door into Summer" on guitar with her for open mic night... as a friend, of course. Jason obliged, intrigued in both Val and the world of music that was the Monkees and other classic rock artists they both came to enjoy together. With a little help from their friends Sarah and Krista, they realized maybe they WERE interested in each other. Jason and Val's first date was at Cocina Fresca in East Side Dining. Jason wowed Val--who was on an unlimited swipes meal plan--by paying for her meal with his dining dollars. On the 21st night of September, Jason told his mom that Val was his girlfriend. He eventually told Val, who agreed. The lovers enjoyed a year full of music, college football and basketball games, late nights out on campus, and drives through Long Island. In August 2019, Jason moved to Buffalo for graduate school, and Val joined him for the entire 8-hour ride. When it was time to say goodbye, their first “I love yous” were exchanged. A love like this happens once every few lifetimes, and they were going to make it work. Val was sweet, and Jason was grateful. They made a point of visiting each other once a month. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Val came up to Buffalo and they quarantined together. Once school started back up, they would fall asleep on FaceTime as they watched Seinfeld or played chess remotely. Jason cheered Val on during the livestream of her Stony Brook homecoming performance, and Val Zoomed in to watch Jason defend his Master of Public Health thesis at University at Buffalo. Flash forward, and Jason and Val are taking on the world together. Val finally moved to Buffalo in August 2022, after nearly 3 years of long distance. Jason keeps a picture of Val in his office downtown. Val stays overdramatic and true to Jason each day. Together, they raised 5 beautiful guinea pigs: Ginger, Layla, Charlie, Lucy, and Opal. In June 2024, Jason and Val took their first international vacation together to England and Ireland. On June 18th, they took a walk on the Trinity College campus in Dublin. On a college campus, just like where it all started, Jason asked Val to marry him. Much like the beginning of their relationship, Jason had told their family and friends his plans to propose before Val had any idea. Once again, Val agreed.