Our story begins back in 2011, almost 13 years ago. Ralph and I met at our high school, Red Bank Catholic. Ralph was a sophomore and I was a freshman. Having never met before, Ralph would wave and smile at me in the hallways and I thought he was mistaking me for someone else. He kept on waving, so I did as well. One day in the hallway, I dropped my books on the ground and Ralph just so happened to pass by at the same exact time (how convenient)! He helped me pick up my books and officially introduced himself. This was the first time we put names to each other’s faces. Exchanging waves and hellos continued for the next two years. Little did I know, Ralph had become familiar with the hallways I most often frequented and the classrooms I usually came out of. If I had known this, I would have thought he was a complete stalker!

A few years go by and now it’s the first day of my junior year and Ralph’s senior year. It was seventh period and we ended up walking into the same Algebra class. This was the first and only high school class Ralph and I ever had together. Ralph sat next to me and it was like we had known each other for years (thinking back, I guess we did)! We spent most of class talking, laughing, and making plans for outside of school. We definitely weren’t the most studious math students that year, but even the teacher knew we had something special and passed us anyway. Who knew my least favorite course would end up being my favorite part of the day.

Next thing we knew, we became high school sweethearts and went to each other’s proms and graduations. We became a part of each other’s families and spent holidays and family birthdays together. We both attended Monmouth University and enjoyed so many good times at college together. Ralph majored in finance and I was studying to be a teacher. You would typically find one of us waiting for the other outside of class. We loved spending time together wandering around campus and eating out. We would show our school spirit at basketball games (that was probably the only sports team we agreed on)! Summers consisted of hanging out at each other’s houses and going to tons of concerts at PNC. Next thing we knew, we had already been together for four years!

As most first loves typically go through, we went our separate ways. We spent three and a half years apart without any contact at all. Thankfully, we reconnected in November of 2021 and became closer than ever. Those years apart definitely made the heart grow fonder.

We have spent the last three years enjoying each moment together. We share so many of the same interests including cooking and nutrition, working out, going to sporting events, road trips, concerts, and the beach. We always want to be together all the time. Ralph got an apartment in Spring Lake which was only 5 minutes from me in Wall. That’s when we realized it was time to take our relationship to the next level. Ralph proposed on May 11th, 2024 in front of The Our Lady of Fatima Statue at St. Catharine’s Church in Spring Lake. This is a very meaningful place to both of us. I was in complete shock, yet was so grateful and ecstatic to say yes!

It’s been an amazing journey and we are so appreciative of everyone who has been cheering us on along the way. I think it’s safe to say that both of us always knew we were meant for each other, it just worked in God’s time. We are so excited to celebrate our special day with the people that we love.

Let’s party!