Joe and Ashley met the way all great love stories begin—on a boat, on the Fourth of July en route to Tices Shoal. Ask Joe how he got back on the boat after a long day in the sun, he’ll say “what? I grew up in the city, I haven’t been on many boats.” 

Their first date was at a sushi spot in Hoboken. Joe was so nervous that he sweat through his shirt (yes, through it). Although they didn’t continue dating right after, they found their way back to each other only a few months later. When Joe finally asked Ashley to be his girlfriend at the romantic Six Flags Great Adventure, she said no. He had to earn it—and he did, with persistence, charm, and probably more sweat. Any inquiries on the levels of fast passes can be directed to Joe… 

Joe knew it was love during a rib dinner at Ashley’s parents’ house (because nothing says romance like barbecue sauce and eating with your hands). Ash knew it was love when she constantly saw kindness, thoughtful gestures and all his funny jokes. 

Joe proposed in Jamaica where both of their parents secretly flew in. Just a few short days before, Ashley told Joe she “needed to be on a beach drinking a pina colada right now.” Joe couldn’t get on Google flights faster. She said yes as the crowd of people at the swim-up bar cheered.

They laugh until their bellies hurt, love deeply, sing their hearts out and always know how to put a smile on each other’s faces.