Spring 2019: Dana receives a text from Uncle Doug asking if she is interested in meeting a guy he really likes and thinks would be a great fit. Dana gives the go ahead to share her number. A couple months later, Ian finally texts Dana introducing himself and sets up the first date. Here we go...

June 11th 2019: Our first date and Ian's 23rd birthday! We meet at Roof at Park South in Murray Hill for drinks. The first thing Ian notices are Dana's pearly white Adidas, and then her beautiful blue eyes! Dana remembers conversation flowing so easily and not wanting to leave.

October 2nd 2019: Ian asks Dana to be his girlfriend! It's official!

March 2020: COVID strikes. Ian packs a bag to get out of the city for a few days to stay with Dana and her roommate, Melanie, at their apartment in Hoboken. Little did they know, they were welcoming a third roommate for the next few months!

June 2021: Our first trip, together as a couple, to Rehoboth, Delaware! A long weekend of golf, beach, and seafood!

July 2021: We move into our first apartment together in Hoboken! We miss you, Melanie!

September-November 2022: A traumatizing midnight flood forces us out of our apartment. After fifteen phone calls with State Farm and two months living with the 'rents, we arrive to our second apartment together in Weehawken.

August 2023: Ian takes Dana on her first (true) international trip to Iceland. Plenty of waterfalls, sheep, lava rock, and funny adventures that we'll remember for a lifetime (Ian almost got us stranded in the middle of nowhere).

December 2023: Ian's first trip with the Zimmel family to Aruba (arriba)! Ian manages to avoid sunburn while learning why Aruba is Dana's happy place :)

May 2024: Dana and Ian travel to Cartagena, Colombia, and then spend a week venturing the golden beaches and cloud forest of Costa Rica! Dana sees her favorite animal in real life -- a sloth! This is where we first discuss getting engaged!

November 23, 2024: Ian tells Dana he is golfing and Melanie invites Dana into the city for brunch. Dana arrives at the restaurant, only to find Ian waiting inside. A short walk across the street brings us back to where the story began - the Roof at Park South - the site of our first date. Ian hands Dana a beautiful bouquet of red roses and walks her to a semi circle of candles where he gets down on one knee and pops the question. Obviously, Dana says... YES!

We are so excited to start our life together and can't wait to celebrate with our closest friends and family!

D&I

Ceremony and Celebration