Our story began in the sleepy hamlet of Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, where we both grew up. We shared mutual friends and were part of the same high school graduating class. Despite our close proximity, we never developed a close relationship (due largely to the fact that Brooke neglected to invite Bill to her 14th birthday party) and neither of us thought much of it when we enrolled in different universities: Brooke attending Penn State, and Bill choosing nearby Cal U with a brief stop at Chico State in California.

As we progressed through college, we each kept in touch with many of the same hometown friends and through them we were repeatedly reunited at parties and get-togethers. It was around this time that a fateful trend emerged: we always found ourselves talking to each other at gatherings… sometimes for LONG stretches of time! Our conversations revealed similar passions and sparked deeper feelings for one another. The spark finally caught fire in late 2017. Another night out with friends led to another long conversation. Before we knew it, our friends had begun to trickle home. Unwilling to let the night end so soon, we did what anyone would do and set off to explore the crumbling ruins of Brownsville, PA! Our little adventure ended with a goodnight kiss which marked the beginning of our relationship on December 22nd.

As the years went on, our lives grew more intertwined as we navigated the turbulent waters of our twenties. We changed jobs, cars, and apartments. Trivia prizes were won, passports were stamped, and a pandemic was survived. Through it all, we kept the long conversations going. We eventually settled in the scenic enclave of West Newton where we bought our first home in 2020 on the slopes of the Youghiogheny River Valley.

The following years flew by as we created cherished memories, traveled thousands of miles, and experienced both triumphs and tragedies. Our romance culminated not in a single moment, but in the intimacy of our countless shared experiences. One such experience took place on a warm May night in 2023. A night of dining and theater was capped off with a walk along Pittsburgh’s Northshore. We stopped and stood amongst the bunnies in a picturesque park overlooking the city. Brooke’s mind raced with thoughts of alien invasion as she imagined spaceships descending on Pittsburgh. Little did she know a ring would soon descend upon her finger!

Now, after two years of wedding planning, plenty of laughs and tears, we are incredibly excited to share with you our hard work. Words can’t express our gratitude for your support and friendship. We look forward to expressing our appreciation with a weekend of fun, food, friends, family, and most of all: LOVE.

With Much Love,

Brooke & Bill