It began the way many do…with a swipe. In August 2016, Joe and Blake matched on The League. After exchanging a few messages, they quickly discovered their birthdays were just one day apart and that Blake “loves to cook.” Soon after, they met for their first date at Bobo in the West Village. Joe was a little shy and nervous, while Blake was charming and effortlessly confident. That evening marked the beginning of something truly special.

Their relationship has always been a mix of logic and spontaneity. Blake, a triple Virgo, keeps things grounded and rational, while Joe, the slightly less Virgo Virgo, brings the spark and the perfectly curated travel itinerary. Together, they balance each other in every way.

Their first trip together was to Paris and Mykonos in the summer of 2017. It was Blake’s first time in Paris, and Joe was thrilled to share the city he loves most. Since then, they’ve explored the world side by side. From California to the French Alps, and London to the Amalfi Coast, with countless memories, funny stories, and hungover mornings in museums and palaces along the way.

In 2018, they welcomed their first dog, Blair, followed by her best friend, Penelope, in 2020. That same year, they bought their East Hampton cottage, lovingly dubbed Little Hamptons House, where they spend as much time as possible relaxing, hosting, and perfecting the art of the Friday night early bird special at East Hampton Grill.

Their lives are filled with traditions that make New York feel like home: trick or treat watching at their favorite Sant Ambroeus corner table every Halloween, summers in Europe, and hosting Friendsgiving for their chosen family.

When it came time to get engaged, it only felt right to return to where it all began. In July 2024, Joe proposed at Buddha Bar in Mykonos (where they’d dined on their first trip), and Blake popped the question the next morning in Joe’s favorite place, bed.

New York City has always been at the center of their story. It’s where Blake went to college, where they built their life together, and where they still find something new every day. Choosing the SoHo Grand, an iconic downtown landmark just steps from home, felt like the perfect place to celebrate their next chapter.

From Bobo to SoHo, with love.