LET'S CELEBRATE!

Rose and Phil’s story begins in Saratoga Springs, NY, where they both grew up and attended high school. While they weren't exactly friends back in those “high school glory days,” like everyone at Saratoga Springs High, they knew of each other. After college, both followed similar paths south, settling in the NYC area—Rose on the Upper East Side as a teacher, with a firm resolve to "never move back to her hometown." That was, of course, until 2020 and the unexpected turn of events brought on by the pandemic. By this time, Phil had moved back to the 518 from Long Island, settling in with his closest friends in a house affectionately known as the “frat home.” Rose, too, returned home to Saratoga, staying with her family for a short six-month stint during COVID. In May of 2020, fate led them both to a mutual friend's socially-distanced gathering at the "frat home." Rose, in true form, arrived with her signature high-energy dance moves, which Phil—unable to resist—immediately took notice of. That night, they hit it off and spent the next few weeks casually talking. But Rose’s heart was still set on the city, and by August of 2020, she moved back to the Upper East Side. Over the next year, their paths would cross occasionally on Caroline Street, exchanging laughs and conversation over drinks. This eventually led to more formal dates, with Phil making the bi-weekly drive to the 7:40 pm Amtrak train station to see Rose off. Despite the distance, Phil’s persistence never wavered, and he continued to pursue the woman who would eventually become his forever. In the fall of 2021, Phil, never deterred by the 12-hour night shifts at Target, started making monthly trips to NYC to see Rose. And in November 2021, just before a Bills vs. Jets tailgate (Go Bills!), Phil and Rose made things official. For the next nine months, they navigated a long-distance relationship, until Rose, the once-committed "I'm never moving back to the 518" gal, finally realized her place was right here in Saratoga with Phil. In December 2023, Phil proposed to Rose in true Phil fashion—at 8 am in their bedroom. While Rose initially thought he was joking, she quickly realized he was serious and joyfully said yes, overjoyed to have found the kindest man to spend the rest of her life with. And so, here they are, preparing to embark on their next adventure together—forever.