All because two people swiped right. Well, really because Megan saw a photo of Joe playing hockey on his Hinge profile and swiped. Safe to say, it was game over from there. Sports quickly proved to be one of their shared love languages. Joe planned their first date at Whiskey Lounge in Brielle, close to Megan’s home. Not being from the area, Joe was running late—and unbeknownst to him, Megan was already sitting in the parking lot when she spotted him sprinting across it toward the restaurant. Her first thought: Oh god, this is my date, isn’t it? But once seated, everything changed. Over drinks, a Bavarian pretzel, and a charcuterie board, they talked until the place closed that night. Megan went home thinking, This guy is too nice… something must be wrong with him. Soon after, Joe asked what she had planned for the upcoming weekend. Megan mentioned she was redoing the front landscaping at her house, and without hesitation, Joe offered to help. Not only did he go to the nursery, but he also spent the entire day gardening—meaning Megan supervised while Joe did the heavy lifting. In hindsight, that moment perfectly foreshadowed their future partnership. Fast-forward two years, and their relationship entered a new chapter. Megan’s family has vacationed in Lake George for decades, and anyone who knows her knows it’s her favorite place in the world. Joe knew from the start that he would propose there—but what Megan didn’t know was how much planning and effort Joe would pour into making it one of the most incredible days of their lives. Months in advance, Joe consulted just about everyone around them and made several trips up to Lake George (a three-hour drive from their home), scoping out locations and coordinating every detail. On the first day of their vacation, Joe said he wanted to take Megan to dinner since he wouldn’t be able to stay the entire week due to work. On the way, he suggested checking out a nearby site, which led them up a winding road to the top of a mountain and the most breathtaking castle—Highlands Castle. As the large cellar door opened, the castle keeper, John, greeted them and began sharing the history of the castle. Moments later, Megan stepped onto the balcony to find giant marquee letters spelling MARRY ME, surrounded by rose petals and tea lights, overlooking the most stunning view of Lake George. Since Megan had been promised dinner, Joe brought her to Bandstand Brewery. What she thought would be a table for two turned into a room filled with both sets of their parents and loved ones. Tears flowed from the castle straight through dinner. With a hand-picked chef’s menu, staff fully in on the surprise, and the room decorated with photos of the two of them, Joe truly outdid himself—pulling off not one, but two incredible surprises, both even better than he imagined. In true Megan fashion, the next morning she got to pry at brunch at Château on the Lake in Bolton Landing, learning all the behind-the-scenes planning that went into the day. When Joe said he consulted everyone, he meant it—friends, neighbors, even their dog walker were in on the plan. There were even hand-drawn proposal sketches sent to Megan’s friends. It just proved that Joe was never “too nice,” as Megan first thought—he is simply the most caring, thoughtful, and genuine person who puts his whole heart into everything he does, especially when it comes to her. Megan and Joe are beyond excited to celebrate their love at St. Martha’s Church, a place that holds special meaning just down the road from their home. They are honored to be married by Father Dave, whose homilies often reference the Minnesota Vikings or his dog. When it came time to choose a reception venue, LBI National Golf & Resort stood out beyond belief. A golf course felt especially meaningful, and it didn’t hurt that it’s located in Tuckerton—sharing a name with their dog, Tucker. Megan and Joe cannot wait to say “I do” and begin their next chapter as husband and wife.