On a cold December day in 2017, Christopher and Francesca sat in a dimly lit tavern...along with 7-9 other people at a giant table. Liliana, their mutual friend, had invited Francesca to join her Dungeons and Dragons group, and this dinner was meant to introduce her to the crew. As soon as Christopher walked in, Francesca immediately thought, "Wow, he's cute. Bet he's already taken."

After a couple months of mutually crushing on each other, of stolen glances at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking, Chris asked Francesca out on February 1, 2018, and she excitedly said yes! A week later, they were cozy together in a booth at Prince Tea House in Flushing, NY, trying to get to know each other while fighting butterflies.

What followed were 6 years of dinner dates, movie nights, Dungeon and Dragons sessions, adventures, and generally enjoying each other’s company.

Throughout the month of October 2023, Chris kept driving Francesca upstate on day trips. The first day trip, Francesca was wondering if the proposal was coming, but after the trip came and went with no proposal, she was thrown off track. Little did she know that Chris was waiting for the fall foliage to peak.

On October 22, 2023, Chris took Francesca to the top of a hill at Storm King Art Center, where they were surrounded by towering Roman columns. She turned around, and there Chris was on one knee.

"Will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Of course, Francesca said yes!