July 1, 2016.

Mark and Jessie met orientation week of freshman year at Villanova in August of 2012 and became quick friends. Jessie would travel all the way from South Campus to Delurey Hall to hang out with Mark, which is an incredibly long trek in the Philadelphia cold. Mark liked Jessie so much he invited her to his very first formal as part of the Rugby team (yes, Mark played rugby freshman year).

Fast forward to July 2016 in Manasquan, when Mark asked Jessie to be his girlfriend in everyone's favorite bar: The Osprey. Little did either of them know that Mark would ask Jessie to marry him five years later on the beach just a few feet away.

Since then, they’ve lived in three apartments together, became an aunt and uncle (hi Frankie!), and got the first new member of their family, an energetic cutie named Cash.

Throughout the years, Jessie and Mark have traveled, learned how to cook many new recipes, ate at countless restaurants, skied many mountains, and have been lucky enough to share so many of these memories with all of you.

And now, Mark and Jessie cannot wait to share this very special one and celebrate with you!

August 21, 2021.

The day Jessie realized she is the luckiest, and most oblivious, person ever!

Mark had been planning the proposal for months. He made countless trips back and forth from Long Island to Hoboken to find a ring with his Mom, asked Jessie's Dad for his permission, told all of their friends, and planned the engagement party. Jessie had no idea.

The day finally arrived and Mark, forever the planner, was confident everything was in order. He had seeded the fake plan - a fancy dinner at a restaurant in Spring Lake - and told Jessie they should go early to take pictures.

But Hurricane Henri had other plans. Instead, Mark and Jessie got dressed up and decided to take a walk to the local Manasquan beach a few hours before the hurricane’s arrival. There, Mark asked Jessie to marry him on a beach where they have spent so many of their summers and which happened to be spitting distance from where their relationship began: the Osprey.

AND SHE SAID YES!

Mark and Jessie's families and friends were waiting for them at the Merone's shore house to celebrate after and they cannot wait to celebrate with you!