We met at JJ Foley’s on a Wednesday night that was supposed to be uneventful—just a drink, maybe an hour, like every other dating-app date we’d been on. Instead, we talked for four straight hours like two people who suddenly had nowhere else they needed to be. From there, things picked up quickly in the best way. Lily is convinced Joe fell in love with her cooking (especially the short rib ragù). Joe is convinced Lily fell in love with his ability to make her laugh when she’s trying to be serious. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. By the second date—breakfast three days later because neither of us wanted to wait—it was already clear this was different.

Our third date was Lily’s first trip to the North Shore, where she discovered that its traffic is an experience of its own. Already running late, we got swept into the middle of a full Christmas parade on our way to dinner. Joe tried his first espresso martini that night and immediately realized Lily would always be the one to introduce him to life’s sweetest treats and fanciest little indulgences.

Our fourth date was an Irish Christmas concert followed by Loretta’s, and afterward we ended up on Lily’s couch talking for another four hours—officially confirming it as the headquarters of all our best conversations.

Since then, the year has been full of new places, new memories, and more “firsts” than we can count. Now we’re ready for our favorite one yet—our first day married—and we can’t wait to celebrate it with all of you.