April 2021. The COVID vaccine had finally been unleashed, and the world was exiting hibernation. New York City was coming back to life with a vengeance. Every restaurant was overflowing, both inside and in the ubiquitous outdoor seating venues. There was palpable excitement in the city. And it was there that Sarah and Matt's story began. They met on Hinge (don’t tell Sarah’s grandparents Arlene and Marv, who think they met later at a party). Their first date started a bit…imperfectly. Matt scheduled for 8pm in the West Village and was there by 7:55 (as Sarah and all his friends can attest, he doesn't like to be late). At 8:10, Sarah sent Matt a text that she was running late, as her brother needed help with an essay. Matt could understand – after all, he'd written every essay his siblings had ever submitted for anything important. But by 8:30, he was beginning to wonder if this was a waste of time. When Sarah finally arrived at 8:40 and asked if Matt had a reservation, it was his turn to admit fault – he did not. They wandered aimlessly until a closing restaurant took pity on the new couple and let them sit down for a drink. They stayed for three hours. A summer romance blossomed. The second date was two days later, at a party in Matt’s now-legendary apartment (which Sarah still calls "Party House"). Then came the concerts in Brooklyn, dates in the park, meeting the friends, and even the families. When they made plans to spend a weekend together in the Hamptons, Sarah tried to keep her family away –but they had other plans. As he turned onto her street, a car behind him did an aggressive U-turn, and he knew immediately that he hadn’t escaped. Straight from there they made an 8-hour drive to his parents in LBI. It was the first time he had brought a girl home since high school. But Matt was harboring a secret, one that threatened the whole affair: he was moving to Chicago for business school. He hadn’t told Sarah; she wouldn’t have given him a chance if he had! (Matt stands by this move; Sarah remains less than thrilled) Neither had expected a distance relationship, and certainly not one only months old, but as Matt’s mom pointed out – what’s the worst that can happen? And so started two years of flights, new friends, new challenges, and growing love. Sarah’s co-workers would often joke at the various themed costumes that filled her suitcase on Fridays in the office. Matt’s new friends got to know Sarah just as they got to know him. He learned how to communicate. She learned that a flight to Ecuador by yourself is okay. He began to show her the world. She began to show him what commitment looked like. By the time Matt graduated in 2023, there was no doubt that they’d begin the next phase of their lives living together. There was just one problem. Sarah’s lease in the apartment she shared with her friend Izzy wasn’t up for another 9 months. So, Matt moved in! He lived out of a suitcase in the corner of Sarah’s bedroom (he was later upgraded to one drawer) and shared her full-sized bed. Their lives began to fully and truly intertwine. They became friends with each other’s friends, and their friends became friends with each other. Finally, it was time to move into a place of their own. After a brief search in Chelsea, they settled on Sarah’s favorite place – the Upper West Side. From here, they planned many more adventures – from Columbus Ave all the way to Hawaii. And it was in this apartment that Matt surprised Sarah with a question they’d known was coming for some time – will you marry me? (Matt is still amazed that Sarah didn’t sniff this one out, as she’d told him when she wanted it to happen and had designed her own ring…but some things are meant to be surprises) Which brings us to today, where all of you, their closest friends and family, have been invited to come celebrate the culmination of Sarah and Matt’s love story to date – and the beginning of a wonderful next chapter. They – we – cannot wait to celebrate!