July 9, 2022 was a perfect summer Saturday in NYC. 85 degrees, little humidity, and plans to take full advantage of the weather—via a hotel pool party. Life was good for both Alex and Jordan, but it was about to get better. Separately, as the two didn’t know each other yet, they made plans to support their buddy Deo (semi-pro DJ) and get properly day-drunk with some of their best friends at said pool party. Jordan wore his worst pair of aviator sunglasses, a relic from his 2021 Miami gangster halloween costume. Alex rocked her yellow, oversized button down, with a black bikini on under it, bumble-beeing around the joint. The stage was set, the sparks would fly.

Their first interaction was at Deo’s table, mixing drinks and talkin’ smack. Alex and Jordan, both rarely short on opinions, immediately started to chop it up. The conversation predictably followed this path: cats >> football >> criticism of aviator sunglasses >> gossip about their overlapping group of friends >> football >> cats. The pool party turned into a group dinner (besties from both sides, Rachel and Mike, were present), where Jordan made his move, holding hands under the table. The group dinner then turned into a night out. The night out included shots, laughs, and pukes. But most importantly, digits were exchanged, and a first date was set.

The first date was mini-golf, followed by a 90's cover band. Alex proved to be the more talented golfer, while Jordan shredded the air guitar. A second date was set, then a third, then many more, in this summer of love. Their first trip together was to Montauk over Labor Day where they began to fall in love. Shortly after, they declared their budding love for each other by deleting the dating apps and having the “official” talk. Jordan moved quickly once the GF tag was applied, inviting Alex to his mom’s birthday dinner the following week. Alex reciprocated when her mom was in town a few weeks later, as they + Michelle (huge sports gal) watched Jets-Pats at a bar. The Jets were jetty, taking the L in infamous style, allowing a punt return for a TD with no time left. Despite the gut-wrenching loss, Jordan saw blue skies ahead having hit it off with Mayette, Alex’s mom. She knew more about the Jets offensive line struggles than many of his friends. A bond of trust was being built.

There was only one obstacle in the way. Was it a difficult parent, politics, or religious beliefs? No. It was Alex’s 7-year old cat/son, Arthur. Would he accept this new human, who was nervous to pet or hold him? Could he smell the fear? At first, the two kept their distance from each other, while Alex underplayed her hysteria for Arthur/animals in general. Over time, the boys became best friends and Alex showed her true colors (as a crazy cat lady). The ritual of feline acceptance was consummated one night in November 2022, when Arthur chose to lay on Jordan over Alex. The rest, as they say, is history.

Jordan traveled to Camarillo, CA for Christmas, Alex to Thailand with Marc, Jordan’s older brother, over NYE. It was on like donkey kong, but there were crucial checkpoints along the way that fortified their connection and shared love for family + food + good times:

- Grandma Phyllis was smitten with Jordan’s beard and his ability to talk to anyone.

- Rick, Jordan’s father, found Alex to be kind, intelligent, and honest. Rick gave a rare and quick thumbs up.

- Scotty (Alex’s dad), Chris (Alex’s brother), and Jordan were good for a boys day together right off the bat. The 3 plan to surf together for the rest of their lives.

- The moms, the rocks of each family, Mayette and Joan, were excited to show off their culinary skills, and Alex and Jordan, were thrilled to realize that the home cookin’ was excellent on both coasts. For the moms, they finally found true partners in their kid’s new partner.

- Alex excelled with Mike, Jordan’s BFF and partner in crime (and business). The 3 had (and will still have) many big nights in NYC together, but also low key football Sundays, dinners, and heart-to-heart conversations.

- Alex met Dane and couldn’t get enough. Jordan met Lindsay and Kevin, Kale and Miguel, and knew he had even more life-long friends.

- Jordan survived a cigar bar with Matt and a walking tour of DC with Hayley and received their stamp of approval.

- Lola and Elle (nieces), upon their first time meeting Alex, tested her with sly comments about Jordan’s exes. Alex, with a steely cool response, made it clear she was here to stay, and the girls quickly changed their tune. And when a shared love for Taylor Swift was revealed, the 3 became inseparable.

- Cal (nephew), is always a sweet boy and immediately gave Alex a huge hug, melting her heart and giving baby fever.

- But most importantly, Alex navigated through older sister bootcamp. The always skeptical Aja quickly fell for her soon-to-be sister, while Joe (Jordan’s other big bro) knew Jordan had met his match.

The trio (remember Arthur) decided to move in together in the Summer of 2023 and found their dream city home in the East Village, just south of Union Square. This is where Jordan fell deeply obsessed with Alex and the perks of homemade cooking 4-5 nights a week. Alex and Jordan quickly discovered that the more time they spent together, the more they appreciated each other’s outlook on life, how they treated friends and family, and how much they meant to each other. The love and good times grew. Alex’s patience and kindness turned out to be a great match for Jordan’s all-day energy and delusional positivity. Most importantly, the two became inseparable.

Upon visiting Alex’s parents for Christmas in 2023, Jordan knew it was time to go to work. He found 1-1 time with both Scotty and Mayette to declare his intentions for marriage and ask for Alex's hand. Despite some deflategate jokes that put family tensions on high alert, Mayette decided to give a thumbs up. The Deodato family was elated (and relieved). On a return trip to California on March 11, 2024, Mayette and Jordan planned an elaborate beach proposal. Alex sniffed out their scheme, but she was over the moon and she said yes when he bent the knee at Paradise Cove.

And now we’re here, ready to rage this wedding. So, please join us on 5/3/25 in New York (next door from the hotel pool party where they met), alongside the Deodato, Berglund, and Puckett families, to celebrate these two crazy kids and the start of their new life together.