We first crossed paths in 2018 at Fishtales in Ocean City through mutual friends. But it wasn’t until February 2020, when we matched on Hinge and had our first date at The Pod, a rooftop bar in D.C., where we talked for hours and ended up closing the place down on a Tuesday night. When the world shut down shortly after, we made the most of it, spending time together with cherry blossom walks, bike rides, wine and cheese picnics, and cooking elaborate Italian dinners at home. Homemade pasta, tiramisu, and plenty of wine quickly became our signature, and April 11th, 2020, became our “official” anniversary! In October 2020, Joel bought a home in Ocean City, Maryland, near where he grew up, and Olivia made the move from D.C. in 2022. Just a month later, we welcomed our golden retriever, Hudson, named after the Hudson River, as a nod to Joel’s love of the water and Olivia’s New York roots. Over the years, we’ve built a life full of warmth, laughter, and good food, hosting friends, planning adventures, and finding joy in the little things. Joel proposed on January 22, 2025 in Mexico, and now we can’t wait to begin this next chapter, surrounded by the people we love most!