The Cape has always been a special place for us. It's where we vacationed for the first time as a couple, and continuously returned together over the last few years. Hyannis is "our" place. Our hearts are full when we are there together. We love the seafood (specifically any form of lobster mac n' cheese). We love the hydrangeas. We love exploring the little, nautical stores on Main Street, and the artist pop-up shops along the harbor. On July 19th, 2019, we spent the morning having brunch at the Egg & I, followed by a couple amazing hours on Mayflower Beach, before returning to Hyannis for dinner at our favorite restaurant—The Black Cat. After dinner (and several mojitos), Allie insisted on walking along the water by the harbor, to look at the twinkling bistro lights in the trees along the pier. We sat in an Adirondack chair overlooking the marina and ocean, when Pete began asking Allie if she would promise they would be a team forever. He slipped Allie off of his lap, and got down on one knee. In full transparency, Allie began hyperventilating/sobbing (did not hear the "will you marry me?" at ALL), and walked away in shock, before managing to utter "but are you sure?" in response. Allie eventually was able to get the "yes" out, and we spent the remainder of the night celebrating with each other, FaceTiming our family and friends, and continuing the mojitos. The next couple of Cape Cod days were full of watching sunsets on the beach, more seafood, a PLEATHORA of engagement ring photos, and pure bliss. We have chosen to spend our lives together. We are a team forever. This is just the beginning.

I first saw Allie in the press box at the baseball field at Holy Cross a few weeks after I'd begun working there. She was an intern with the marketing department and could not stop screwing up playing music for the game over the PA system. Normally something that would drive me insane suddenly seemed harmless because of the giggling and somewhat remorseful beauty sitting behind the computer. I was wearing 'work" clothes that were more fit for a 1990's wedding and a hairstyle that was more fit for an extra in Wolf of Wall Street. After inquiring about her the next day, I was told by our mutual acquaintance Reggie that she had also inquired about the "smooth operator" with the hair that was standing behind her. Allie denies that to this day and I don't know if Reggie was lying to me to try and pump my ego, but either way it was all I needed. I'd then heard rumors of a current relationship which quickly were confirmed when I saw her shortly thereafter at Funky Murphy's in Worcester when she dropped a heavy "my boyfriend..." during a statement that I don't remember the end of. That was it, better luck next time. Goodbye forever. Funny the way it is... A few months later I see Allie's smiling face at the front desk in the Athletics Dept and I'd come to find out she'd accepted a job at Holy Cross. I felt butterflies in my stomach. I never feel that way. I couldn't focus on work for the rest of that day and knew I needed to find an in to spend some time with her and that opportunity eventually came in the form of her birthday in February that I was invited to join in among many of her friends at the since relocated Citizen Wine Bar in Worcester. This is where I learned of Allie's favorite drink, which we all know is "whatever tastes like juice." After a few more group and double dates (with Janelle and John) and long discussions after a few juices I was finally able to secure a dinner with Allie in what I'd sensed was going to be a blow off meal.

The previous relationship had ended but was still lingering. I'd been in that same place she was before and I know how a new relationship at that point can feel like the furthest thing from what you want... but I wasn't deterred. I was going to make my pitch at that dinner and let the chips fall where they may. Turns out I was pretty convincing. The first time I told Allie I Loved her was a complete mistake - in the best way possible. I had just spent the day with her at Urgent Care following what was thought initially to be a leg fracture due to a crossfit (my favorite!) incident. After a few rounds of 'I told you so's', I was dropping her off at her car after we'd determined she could now drive and as she slipped out I told her to drive safe and "I Love You". After I made it out of the driveway and finishing taking out my idiocy on my steering wheel - I text her a 'sorry... not really sorry' and was ecstatic she responded at all, but especially in kind. I was in Love. I remain more in Love than I've ever been and the feeling grows with each day, adventure, home-cooked meal, trip to the park with Jaxon. With each Free Date Friday at Citi Field when I have to work. With each trip to the grocery store where I get reprimanded for wandering and not planning out meals efficiently. Each time we get back from dinner on a Saturday night at 8:30pm and are excited to put on sweatpants and melt into our couch (nest). Every load of laundry, every snorting giggle, every time I give her grief when it's her turn to be the navigator in NYC and there are a couple of wrong turns. Allie made the leap following me to the busiest place in the country because she believed in that Love and she believed in me. I look forward to spending the rest of my life confirming and reaffirming that she made the right choice.

Our “how we met” stories are definitely drastically different; Pete claims we met when I was a senior in college interning for the Holy Cross athletic department—I don’t remember those interactions. Whoops. I came back to work for Holy Cross Athletics in a full time role in the fall of 2015, and Pete was the nice guy who worked for corporate sponsorships in the department. He was friendly, helpful, (and extremely attractive). It was the week before my 23rd birthday, and Pete google-chatted me about a work question before striking up a conversation on weekend plans. I invited him to come out with the bigger group of Holy Cross friends that Saturday night, to which he obliged. We went to Still & Stir (RIP to our all-time favorite bar)—drinks were flowing, and everyone ended up back at Pete’s place. I soon found him next to me on the couch, where he “slyly” tried to put his arm around my shoulder, which initially caused me some confusion. I pushed him away. Was Pete into me like that? The next morning—as expected—I reached out to my friends (shout-out to Reggie and Janelle) about Pete’s “moves” to which they responded…“well, yeah.” I was infatuated with his infatuation with me. But, I was cautious with my heart. I was hesitant to let Pete in. He was persistent. One moment that stands out vividly in my memory is our first “date.” Going into the dinner, my intentions were to tell Pete I wasn’t looking for a relationship. That I was not interested (even though I knew I absolutely was). I got “out-salesman-ed” by Pete—shocker. He told me he was particular in what he wanted. He wanted me. He told me he would be there for me, in whatever capacity I wanted or needed, until I told him to stop. I was taken aback by his confidence, his maturity, his patience, and how well he knew himself. From that night, my heart knew it was sold. It just had to convince my mind.

Over the next few months (and okay...maybe we were verging years…I led the poor guy on for quite some time), I let myself fall incrementally more in love with Pete. I was drawn to his passion and drive for his job. His desire to always become better. I felt at home with his family, and adored how much love he had for them (and vice versa). We became friends with each other’s friends. Like he promised, Pete was there for me. He was compassionate and understanding, as I navigated my first few years as a post-grad adult. My early relationship with Pete taught me a lot about my values, who I wanted to be as a person, and the kindness we should embody and project to all around us. I first told Pete “I love you” on the 4th of July in 2017. We were sitting on John Mazzone’s dock on Ramshorn Pond, watching fireworks together. I will never forget the way Pete’s face lit up as the words left my lips. He was my person. I was his. We have had quite the journey since that summer. New jobs. New city. A new home together. We’ve overcome new obstacles. Had countless, memorable adventures. We’ve grown into a family (with Jaxon of course). We fit. I fall more in love with Pete every day. He is the best man I know, and I have never been more sure of anything in my entire existence, when it comes to marrying him.