Although we met at Bucknell, it wasn’t until the fall of 2020 before our paths crossed and we got to know each other. Catherine hosted an outdoor Friendsgiving party that year with hopes of spending more time together.

Following the Friendsgiving get together, we had our first official date on December 13, 2020. We found a special spot to visit that evening - the Christmas tree in Princeton, New Jersey, at Palmer Square.

Dating during a pandemic involved many outdoor and creative adventures! We went for hikes at Sourland Mountain Preserve in Hillsborough, New Jersey, enjoyed a private screening of "Love Actually" in Freehold, New Jersey and did plenty of frigid outdoor dining.

Soon after, Catherine was accepted into a masters program at Cornell University and would be living in Ithaca for the time being. During this time, we planned many trips and long weekends together in Ithaca. After over a year of long distance dating, between Philadelphia and Ithaca, we settled down together in Philadelphia. In February 2023, we adopted two adorable cats, Petals and Koko.

In December 2023, three years after our first date, we returned to Palmer Square to that same Christmas tree - where we got engaged. Catherine was so surprised by the proposal that she got a bloody nose! We found some napkins, cleaned up, and went on to enjoy that moment in front of the tree.

We are excited for you all to be a part of our day, and we look forward to celebrating with everyone!

Holiday Inn Budd Lake - Rockaway Area, an IHG Hotel