It was the year of COVID. One night, JR & Marcus both ended up checking Tinder to find out they had swiped right on each other. After some light conversation, they finally setup a day to meet in their neighborhood for some food & drinks in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Little did they know that one swipe would take them to where they are today. A life that continues to fill with love, laughs, traveling & happiness.
October 15, 2020
After meeting in person on a first date, JR & Marcus then had a 12 hour long 2nd date. They rented a car for the day & drove a little upstate to the pumpkin patch at Harvest Moon Farms & Orchard. For dinner, they went to get Italian seafood at City Island in the Bronx. In the evening, to keep the date going, they took the pumpkins they got from Harvest Moon & carved them together.
October 31, 2020
With a few more days & dates later, Marcus nervously asked JR to be his boyfriend over Facetime. They then made it official to be each other's partners. They celebrated with a Bourbon tasting at a spot in Marcus' old stomping grounds, The Lower East Side (LES).
November 26, 2020
JR finally met Marcus' twin sister, Carla, & friends as they ate, laugh, & drank during Thanksgiving dinner.
May 22, 2021
JR & Marcus wanted their friends & family to finally meet so they hosted a picnic in the park day in Long Island City. It was such a fun & warm day!
September 01, 2021
JR & Marcus got an apartment together in Bushwick & officially moved in together. They spent the whole day moving right before a strong rainstorm hit. Unfortunately, the building lost gas, while the elevator & the basement amenities were completely flooded. They had to live in the apartment without gas (no hot water & cooking!) for almost 2 weeks.
December 25, 2021
JR & Marcus flew to Marcus' hometown Columbus, Ohio for Christmas that year. This was the first time JR met Marcus' dad & his family.
December 27, 2021
From Columbus, Ohio, JR & Marcus then flew to San Diego, CA to celebrate new year's. Marcus met JR's family & friends for the first time & Marcus had his first trip to Disneyland. They had a blast!
July 28, 2023
As you all know, JR & Marcus love to travel! For this particular trip to Cancun, JR was on crutches & in a boot because he broke his foot days before in a parkour accident.
September 30, 2023
JR & Marcus added a +1 to their family by adopting Django from Animal Haven in Soho, New York. He was only 3 months old when they got him.
November 02, 2024
JR & Marcus took a trip to Savannah, Georgia to celebrate their 4th anniversary being together. After a day filled with historic mansion tours, an encounter with a ghost, & dinner with Jill Biden, JR proposed to Marcus in Forsyth Park during sunset to end a perfect day.
April 14, 2025
Over the past several years, Marcus & JR have taken trips to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to get away from the craziness of New York City at times. They both love history, food, & good times. After a family trip, they decided to lock in a venue in the City of Cheesesteaks & Brotherly Love for where they will be finally getting married!