February 20, 2021 – We Meet!


Five years after graduating from Towson University and in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom moves back home to New Jersey from Baltimore, Maryland in mid-February.  His new pad is located at 311 7th Ave in Asbury Park, with his childhood best friend.  Abby is set to move out of this same apartment building in mid-March, but their paths cross just in time.  While taking out the trash on a snowy February weekend, Abby and Tom meet for the first time! 


And now a little side love story just for fun …. 


For those who don’t know, Abby’s paternal grandparents met in a similar fashion in Baltimore, Maryland.  After spotting a young Poppy Clarence in the neighborhood, who had recently moved in nextdoor, a young Nana Chickie timed taking out the trash each evening to align with his arrival home from work so they could meet.  Their love story started by a trash can in an alleyway in Baltimore, Maryland, only for history to repeat itself decades later.  Believe it or not, February 20th was Nana’s birthday – the universe certainly has a way of working its magic and “trashy” love stories prevail!


March 3, 2021 - Lamp Day!


Abby purchases a lamp on Facebook Marketplace for her new apartment, walking it back to 7th Ave across the Sunset Lake Bridge.  Tom is sitting on the porch of their apartment building when she returns.  Perplexed by her purchase – a great conversation starter – Tom and Abby start chatting and exchange numbers.


The Spring and Summer of 2021 – Let Love Grow


Abby and Tom’s friendship grows during the sunny days of the spring and summer of 2021.  Their friend groups hangout on the front porch of 311 7th Ave and go to concerts, distilleries, and the beach, where they always gravitated to one another in the crowd.  They learn how they grew up only a town apart (with Tom and Abby’s sister, Sarah, actually graduating from high school together), have a shared love of corny jokes and John Mayer (though his Last Train Home album remains a point of contention), celebrate similar family traditions, both enjoy a being active, traveling, and lounging on the beach, and love the simple pleasure that is cooking dinner with a glass of good wine!


October 23, 2021 – First Official Date


Tom and Abby have their first official date at Asbury Park’s Silverball Museum and Langosta Lounge.  Over skeeball, Pac-Man, and sushi, the two marked the official start of their dating journey.  To this day, Abby and Tom compete for a skeeball championship trophy at Silverball!


November 2022 –


Abby and Tom settle into their apartment together in Asbury Park, starting a chapter of balcony gardening, whipping up Bon Appetit recipes, kitchen dance parties, game nights, and boardwalk walks along the Jersey Shore!


March 22, 2024 – Let’s Get Married!


With the cherry blossom trees starting to bloom, Tom asks Abby to marry him at Sunset Lake in Asbury Park, just a few blocks away from where their love story began.  She says YES!


October 18, 2025 — Mr. and Mrs. Masiello


Join us as we say “I do!” and celebrate our marriage at the Anthony Wayne House in Paoli, PA.