Jil and Riley met on Black Friday, 2020 after matching on Hinge. With both of them having gone through recent life changes (some more "trans"formative than others), neither thought this meeting would become something much bigger.

They texted for several days leading up to the date, starting from Hinge conversation starters to planning their outfits.

It was a rare, beautiful evening in November, where they spent the night sitting outside on the rooftop deck where Riley lived at the time, overlooking their home city of Baltimore.

They shared music and cocktails, and since then have been glued to each other's side, Jil always on the right and Riley on the left.

As a Covid couple, they quickly became the sole occupants of their bubble. They had essentially lived together for several months before going on an actual first date. Jil's spooky black cat Ghost latched on to Riley immediately. Living together felt natural for the two of them, as if they'd always been together.

Jil and Riley shared years worth of life changing experiences in just the first few months together, from a dozen job changes between them, a name change, and officially moving in together in June of 2021. Even through the most difficult times, they loved and supported each other. "We'll get through this. We always do," was their affirmation.

In September of 2021, the couple welcomed a young tabby named Morgan into their little family, celebrating submitting the legal documentation for Riley's name change.

By that point, Jil had long since known that she was going to marry Riley, begging to propose to her all the way since March of 2021. Riley was hesitant, but ultimately gave in on September 1st 2021 at Abbey Burger, witnessed by Mary Nachimson and Jon "Shut Up Jon" Moury, as well as Ivy Rose and her new husband Brett Weinstein. (Maybe some other people, but the beer, bombs, and Smirnoff Ices were flowing). Jil began planning the engagement party immediately. The not-so-surprise party was held in April of the following year, upstairs at Abbey in the Arsenal clubhouse, surrounded by close friends and family. The two climbed up onto the bar, and Jil once again proposed, presenting another Smirnoff Ice, and then the real ring. Their parents and siblings met all together for the first time, and everyone celebrated the couple late into the evening.

It took 2 more years to actually begin planning the wedding, simply enjoying each other's company as a betrothed couple.

After another move, more job changes, a new slithery family member, and enough sports injuries to last a lifetime, Jil and Riley finally decided it was time to start planning their wedding.

They chose a beautiful winery, Barnstormer, in a place they both hold close to their hearts: the Finger Lakes in upstate New York.

The couple looks forward to you joining in the celebration of their marriage on the 13th of October, 2024.

Registry