Shai and Aaron met at an AEPi glow-in-the-dark party at Binghamton University where Shai offered Aaron a glow stick and unknowingly stole his heart! Weeks later, after trying to find Shai on Facebook (unsuccessfully at first because he, like many, couldn't spell her name) and Shai playing hard to get by accident, Aaron told Shai at Shabbat 1800 that he had kept her glow stick and would send her a photo of it if she gave him her number.

Aaron and Shai were proud residents of the Upper East Side in NYC, when Covid-19 came to town and moved them over to Shai's parents for the two weeks that turned into one year. This time turned out to be a blessing in more ways than one. From quality time with both sets of their parents, to their Covid-safe road-trips, to making tie dye outfits and sweatpants with a button down their work attire, it was truly one year they won't ever forget. The cherry on top was the road-trip that turned into the beginning of the rest of their lives: Vermont. The pair decided to plan a month away at an airbnb because it was a unique time where they could work from anywhere. Aaron had told Shai that they'd be doing an outdoor scavenger hunt with his cousin Ben their first weekend away. Shai thought nothing of it, down to Aaron telling her for just about the first time in their entire relationship that her outfit did not look cute, and Aaron wearing a button down in the freezing rain, the morning of this scavenger hunt. They had the breakfast of their dreams beforehand because Shai could not start the day without pancakes. Then, they arrived to the beach with Aaron's cousin and photographer friend (normal, right?) After 20 long minutes, Shai was SHOCKED that she was the one to find the "unusual object" on the beach-a wine bottle sticking out of the stand. Excitedly, she opened the bottle and read "clue #1" She had no idea she was reading her own engagement, even when sounding out the acrostic poem that read out "WILL YOU SHAI LINDSEY KARTUS MARRY ME?" to get to the second clue. It finally dawned on her that this could be it, and without shame, asked flat out. Aaron proposed with the ring given by Shai's beautiful Bubbe (after and amongst MANY tears and OMGs!) and they spent the rest of the day taking engagement photos, calling their family and closest friends, and soaking it in. Now, proud residents of Brooklyn, NY, they can't wait to hug their loved ones and celebrate their simcha!