It all began one ordinary Friday, on August 25, 2023, though, looking back, it was anything but ordinary. Annie, Marylou's (Stefania's mom) most loyal client for over twenty years, walked into Euro Styles Salon with the kind of sparkle in her eye that meant trouble. She announced that she had the perfect guy for Stefania. Marylou, knowing Stef’s tendency to dodge matchmaking attempts (especially while knee-deep in lesson plans for her brand-new fourth-grade classroom), played it smart. She told Annie to reach out to Stefania herself. After all, Stefania could say “no” to her mom in a heartbeat—but Annie? Annie was a force of nature. Meanwhile, across town, Jimmy was out fishing with his dad, Big Jim, a man who just so happened to have been friends with Annie’s husband, Tony, for thirty-six years. The Stacys and the Perces went way back, and Annie had practically watched Jimmy grow up. Without missing a beat, Annie switched gears from hairstylist chatter to full-on Cupid mode. She texted and called Jimmy, insisting he had to reach out to this beautiful, sweet, and kind girl. Jimmy didn’t waste time. That very day, he texted Stefania and asked if he could call her the next day to “catch up,” which was funny, considering they’d never met. Stefania wasn’t sure what to make of this mystery man who wanted an old-fashioned phone call, but she admired the gesture. Saturday rolled around, and true to his word, Jimmy called. Stefania spent the entire conversation laughing and talking with him while riding the train into the city. Before hanging up, Jimmy asked her to meet him the next day at Milford Yacht Club, after the Bluefish Tournament. Sunday arrived, and Stefania’s nerves decided to make her fashionably late to what was, in reality, a blind date. Jimmy waited patiently, greeting her with a big, genuine smile and a tenderness she’d never experienced. They settled on the patio, a plate of nachos in front of them—barely touched—because they were far too busy talking as if they’d known each other for years. Eventually, Jimmy suggested ice cream at Carvel. By then, Stefania’s nerves had melted, and she happily devoured her cone in the car as they headed to Gulf Beach. A rogue spot of ice cream on her nose led to a stroll down the pier, their conversation flowing as easily as the waves beneath them. Seven hours later, their “short” date was still going strong despite Annie’s failed attempt to spy on them from a kayak, and the Milford Yacht Club regulars popping by to remind Stefania how special “Little Jimmy” was. That night, both came home grinning ear-to-ear, each telling their parents in their own way that they might have just met the one. Several dates later, filled with dinners out, boat rides, and an effortless joy in each other’s company, Jimmy made it official. On September 10, 2023, in his truck at Woodmont Beach, he asked Stefania to be his girlfriend. She said yes, of course. And the rest? Well…the rest is just the sweetest history.