Friday, March 5, 2021. It was a typical Friday (quarantine style), and Michael and Gwen were both working from home in their apartment. Michael mentioned to Gwen he was leaving in the afternoon for a property tour in Brooklyn for work, and that he would be home later. They were supposed to have dinner with friends later that night, so naturally, she didn't think anything of it... Not long after he left, Michael texted Gwen to pick up a note that was left for her at the front desk. The story begins after she reads the letter. Michael had thoughtfully written out a series of letters telling the timeline of their relationship. Each letter was accompanied by puzzles or clues leading Gwen to find Michael's location. After an hour of playing along with this scavenger hunt (and several tears, deep breaths and "oh my god, is this really happening" moments), Gwen solved the puzzle: "Check-in to the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge at 4:30pm sharp." the last clue revealed. Upon arriving at the 1 Hotel, Gwen was given instructions on where to go. Walking out of the hotel, towards a pier right in front of the Brooklyn Bridge, she found Michael waiting with the biggest smile on his face. They greeted each other, Michael positioned Gwen in "the spot," got down on one knee and proposed. A photographer popped out of no where to capture the entire thing. After she said YES, Michael revealed that both his family and her family had seen the whole thing from the penthouse suite of the 1 Hotel. Gwen's family had been in town for 6 days, quarantining. Both families came down to meet Michael and Gwen after the proposal. It was a beautiful, emotional moment that will never be forgotten.

It was Memorial Day weekend in May of 2018 and I was spending it at the beach with my friends...as the fifth wheel. I thought to myself maybe it was time to get a girlfriend? 2 weeks later I found myself on a blind date with a beautiful, witty and charming young lady who I thought could not only can be my girlfriend, but someone who can be my partner and confidante, and best friend. As the weeks and months passed, I was able to share many amazing memories with Gwen, I was able to meet her family, learn about her values and life goals. Over this time she has helped me grow into the person I am today. I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with her!

I was dog sitting for my friend Eva while she was in Sicily with friends from Columbia Business School when I got a text from her: "Hey love, there's a guy on my trip who thinks you're really pretty and wants to go out with you. Are you interested? His name is Michael Stern, he's a nice Jewish guy from Long Island... and he's super excited to go out with you." How do you say no to that, right? I agreed, and let Eva share my phone number with Michael. We had our first date on June 6, 2018 at a small wine bar in the East Village. I walked in and immediately spotted Michael across the bar. He was dressed well, and looked very cute. I guess we both must have been a little nervous, because Michael forgot to introduce himself to me, and I somehow wound up telling him all about where I'd like to go on my honeymoon. In the end, it was a successful date (it ended 3 hours later after we stopped to get tacos and visited an underground sake bar). I left feeling excited and hopeful about seeing Michael again. What followed was one of the most fun, and carefree summers I've spent as an adult. Michael and I quickly started spending nearly every weekend together. I met his brother Corey first, and the rest of his family a couple weeks later. When people ask me how or when I knew he was "the one", all I can say is, it felt natural and easy from day one. Michael makes me feel like the luckiest woman alive to have his love and support. Our love is unconditional, unwavering, and unbelievably energizing. He is my best friend.