It all started in July of 2018, when two paths crossed in Wildwood Crest. Wade, a lifeguard at the time, was watching over the shore, while Gillian, a student at Quinnipiac University, was spending another summer by the beach. It wasn’t love at first sight, but something in the air that summer—something about the rhythm of the waves and the warmth of the sun—sparked a connection neither of them could ignore. From there, their love story began to unfold like the tide—slow and steady, but with a force they both knew was meant to be. During a Christmas in July bike tour, Wade took Gillian by the hand and spun her around on the dance floor. After they shared their first dance together, they knew they never wanted to spend a day apart. The first chapter of their story began, while Gillian finished her senior year in Connecticut with Wade cheering her on when visiting each and every weekend. Gillian and Wade moved into their first apartment together in Montclair in February of 2020 - one month before the world shifted.It was a time of uncertainty, but their love only grew stronger. They learned to navigate the challenges together, always supporting one another through the unknown. As life continued to evolve, so did their journey. In 2021, when Gillian went back to school to become a teacher and Wade switched careers, they packed up their life and moved to Cape May County. They embraced each new chapter with the same resilience and love that had always been the foundation of their relationship, all while being steps away from the sea, a place so close to their hearts. In 2023, they found their way to Voorhees, where Gillian began teaching first grade and Wade started a new role with the state Department of Taxation. Every day brought new lessons, but the greatest lesson of all was how far they’d come and how strong their love had become over the years. Then came the moment they’d been waiting for. After six years of building a life and a future together, Wade knew it was time to ask the question that had been in his heart all along, in the place where their love story began. During another summer in Wildwood Crest, Wade took Gillian to the pier where she used to sit with her family as a child, watching the waves roll in and out. Beneath that same pier, with the ocean as their backdrop, Wade proposed, marking the start of forever. Their journey is a testament to the power of love—how it grows, evolves, and withstands all challenges. From friends to soulmates, they’ve built a beautiful life together, and now they’re ready to take the next step, hand in hand, forever. Here’s to love, adventure, and the many more memories to come.