We met just before Matt started his master’s program at St. John Fisher, and right before I took a job that would bring me back to Buffalo—I was still living in Rochester at the time. Even then, it felt like life was already starting to bring us a little closer together (even if we didn’t fully realize it yet). Our first date was so good. Matt picked me up at my house—like a true gentleman, which immediately earned him some points—and took me to a restaurant on Park Ave. (Fun fact: we were actually featured on the news that night… so yes, our first date was technically televised.) After dinner, we went for a long drive and ended up at Durand Eastman Park… which feels very full-circle now, considering we live less than a mile away. After that night, I called my sister (now my Maid of Honor) and told her I thought I had met “the one.” And for once, I didn’t overthink it—I was right. About two months later, I moved back to Buffalo while Matt started his journey toward becoming an LMHC. On July 16—716 Day (which he still didn’t realize at the time)—he asked me to be his girlfriend. From there, our relationship became a mix of long drives, packed weekends, and proving that we were both very committed… and very good at putting miles on our cars. For the next couple of years, we spent nearly every weekend going back and forth to see each other. It wasn’t always easy, but it made one thing really clear—we were always going to choose each other. When Matt graduated in 2023, he moved to Buffalo, and we finally got to start building our life in the same place—no more countdowns, no more “see you in a few days,” just us (which was way better). Then on February 5, 2025—a random Tuesday, because apparently Matt likes to keep things interesting—he completely surprised me by proposing at the Botanical Gardens in Buffalo. It was the most perfect, overwhelming, and unforgettable moment of my life. He even had my cousin Bobby there to capture it all, which means we’ll have those memories (and my shocked reaction) forever. After that, we knew it was time to put down roots in our forever home—Rochester, NY. In June 2025, we made the move, and it has truly been the best decision we’ve ever made. Now, we are so excited to celebrate the next chapter of our lives—the start of our forever—with the people who have been there through it all, from the very beginning- our people.