link to ceremony: https://youtu.be/ODQoNidjmAo

Neither of them knew that one Steve Aoki show could change their lives! After hours waiting to get into a club to see a show, Samantha saw Nathaniel enjoying a VIP area with a couch. With aching feet, and feeling shy, Samantha sent her bestie Linda to ask Nathaniel if he would like Samantha to join her, and he did not hesitate to say yes. Samantha and Nathaniel spent the rest of the night talking and completely missed the show, even when Steve Aoki, as is his wont, started throwing sheet cakes at the roaring audience. For Samantha, hearing Nathaniel talk about Myanmar politics was the most interesting thing happening in the club. For Nathaniel, finding Samantha hung on his words when those words were Myanmar politics was the most shocking thing happening in the club.

After meeting once, Nathaniel and Samantha spent weeks talking on the phone and slowly learning about one another. A month went by before they finally had their first date--camping in Pennsylvania! Despite all the time they spent talking, it was too great a leap, so Samantha said "You're still a stranger! I will have to invite some friends." And so she did, and Nathaniel enjoyed their company, too. Most first dates do not last so long, nor involve so many people, but this was a first date to remember, and each knew they had found something special in the other.

Samantha was visiting family in southern Florida while Nathaniel was in New York. But they just started dating, so they couldn't really let all that time go by without a date, so they split the difference and met in Orlando (everyone who knows Samantha understands that this is a "compromise".) Nathaniel flew down Friday after work, and needed to get back to work Monday, so they only had two days to enjoy Orlando's sights and each other's company. Nathaniel arranged for Saturday's plans, and Samantha handled Sunday's itinerary. Nathaniel took Samantha to Disney World, starting in Animal Kingdom riding Everest and the Avatar-themed boat ride, and checking out the critters. Only a couple of hours later they arrived at Hollywood Studios for a 13-story drop, an eventful Star Tours (yes, Nathaniel was confirmed to be the rebel spy the imperials were after), and a long-awaited but outstanding lunch at The Brown Derby. From there they took off for Epcot Center where they jogged off their lunch through the pavillions and riding not-a-thing, while attempting to squeeze a little horchata and maduros into still-full bellies. As the sun set they left for The Magic Kingdom to stroll around the park and enjoy the thinning crowds and whimsical gift shops. Sunday Samantha brought Nathaniel to Discovery Cove, where they hopped into wetsuits and splashed into giant pools filled with multi-hued fish, stingrays the size of tables, and manmade reefs. They screwed up the courage to swim up to the twelve- and fourteen-foot sharks circling and lurking in their own pool, separated from the couple by a plexiglass wall that was invisible underwater. The highlight of the afternoon was the chance to swim with a pair of dolphins, stroking their bellies and even hitching a brief ride! Samantha likes to say that even though she fell for Nathaniel right away, this weekend in Orlando is when they became a couple.

The decision was easy. Samantha's lease was up, Nathan was looking for a change, and they saw a future together! With the help of Dad & Grandpa Perricone and a series of close friends over multiple days, we packed, loaded a U-Haul (driven by our friend and accomplished driver, Tosh), headed to Flushing to pick up furniture, a storage unit to drop some off, and finally reaching Wading River, NY to our new home together. Every move is annoying and surprises everyone with how much time it takes (and how much stuff we fit into so little space!), but once all the furniture and boxes were unloaded, we ended the trip expressing our gratitude to our friends who drove with us by sharing a glorious steak dinner at a local restaurant and spending the night at a hotel with **no boxes to unpack**! The next day, rested, showered and continentally breakfasted, we again thanked our friends for their generous help before they headed back to New Jersey. Returning to our new, shared home, we started unpacking our future together.

Washington DC is known for many things, but few as pleasant as the Cherry Blossom Festival. Nathaniel booked rooms at the Moxy Downtown, and Samantha proceeded to build an itinerary. As she scoured the festival's website, Samantha thought, "Maybe my parents want to come." And they did. Before long, the group included friends and Samantha's littlest sister, Alyssa. As everyone arrived in DC on Friday, we were able to enjoy the Moxy Downtown's 'upscale hostel' experience, including complimentary pink fluorescent cocktails, outdoor firepits, games, and conversation. On Saturday, Nathaniel and Samantha ran late getting ready (as their wont), and arrived in the lobby to find the parents having met the parents and were kibbitzing away! The group headed out to take in the sights, learn a bit about the District, and commence a food tour. After several stops for small plates and drinks, we arrived at Dolcezza Gelato, which was enormously popular despite the lingering chill in the air, and perambulated with our treats, window shopping Kate Spade, Dior and Gucci. As some of their bellies protested against shrinking belts, the pair said goodbye to some, others headed for the hotel to nap, and the rest soldiered on to conclude the food tour at a nearby brewery. Once everyone still in the District recovered from their food comas, the party hit MGM National Harbor for a Japanese-themed evening hosted by Cee Lo Green. To ensure everyone could enjoy the evening at their leisure, the group splurged on VIP tickets for access to buffets, open bars, couches, and uncrowded space near the stage. The Dads had the most fun! Papa Perricone danced to Cardi B, and Daddy Schertz kept "waiting for the beat to drop!" A stroll through drizzling rain Sunday morning brought the group to Georgia Brown's for brunch featuring live jazz and a buffet of breakfast foods that were individually too good to be called a buffet, and everyone departed DC excited, happy, filled, and thoroughly spent!

Samantha and Nathaniel decided that starting their family plans was more important than waiting for the opportunity for the pomp and circumstance of a traditional wedding. After being cooped up for months and no end to the pandemic in sight, they decided to take action! First they called Deep Cut Gardens, a Monmouth County park, picked an available date, reached out to Vanessa, a high school friend with a wedding photography/videography company that could livestream the wedding on YouTube, and aligned the stars themselves: on September 5th, they would wed! With NJ's reopening so uncertain, they determined to keep the wedding small, keeping nearly all of their friends and family safe by livestreaming it, and holding everything outside: ceremony, photos, and food. No rented rooms, no dancefloors, no DJs--no reception, just a simple, wonderful lunch to celebrate the union. Alexandria from Porcini in Highlands affirmed they could accommodate Samantha and Nathaniel's small party for lunch under a tent outside the restaurant! Farm to table and owned by a Husband and Wife, this was exactly where Samantha and Nathaniel wanted to be.

What are you doing after the wedding? Mom and Dad Perricone and Samantha and Nathaniel are looking to merge their households to one. Samantha, Nathaniel and Dad Perricone work together running the family business, so the decision was much easier to make than for most. We are currently looking at homes in Connecticut, keeping close to NYC, Nathaniel's brother Dan and his family in New Hampshire, and Samantha's family in New Jersey. While we are still deciding on where we will go, we are certain of one thing: we hope to fill it with a growing family!