Lisa's side of the story:

I truly believe in fate, which brought Joe and me together. Four years ago, as my dad lay in the hospital during his final days, a kind and gentle Filipino nurse approached me and asked, “Are you Catholic?” I nodded and said, “Yes.” She then encouraged me to speak to my dad, explaining that even in his state, he could still hear me. “Tell him your wish,” she said.

That Saturday night, after ushering my mom out of the room, I leaned down and whispered my deepest wish into my dad’s ear. With tears in my eyes, I told him how I’d been alone for so long and asked him to send someone into my life, someone to share my journey with.

A month later, my sister, mom, and I went on a quick getaway to Delray Beach. On Saturday night, after dinner, we were strolling down Atlantic Avenue when my sister suddenly called out, “Joe!” Startled, Joe turned around, and my sister explained, “It’s Marisa’s friend.” We chatted briefly before going our separate ways.

The next day, while walking on the beach, we spotted Joe again. My sister reached out to Marisa to share the coincidence, and Marisa, unaware that Joe was even in Florida, passed along his number. Joe invited us for a drink at the Seagate, but we already had plans. We tentatively made plans for the next day, and this time, we met him at the Seagate for drinks.

Almost immediately, my mom struck up a conversation with Joe, and of course, it was about food. She asked him if he could find baby artichokes, and Joe, being the thoughtful person he is, didn’t just agree, he delivered. Before we even got back to our beach chairs, Joe had texted my sister saying, “Tell your mom I ordered a case of artichokes for her.”

When we returned to New York, Joe let us know the artichokes had arrived. Sabrina shared my number with him, and that Friday, my mom and I went to Peppino’s to pick them up. Joe personally placed the artichokes in our trunk. I remember driving away thinking, “What a sweet and thoughtful guy.” But part of me was disappointed, assuming that was the end of our story.

To my surprise, the very next evening, Joe texted me, letting me know he’d cleared his schedule for either Sunday or Monday night and asked if I’d like to have dinner. I chose Monday, May 3, 2021. That night, Joe took me to Sergio’s for a beautiful, romantic dinner, and the connection between us was undeniable.

The rest, as they say, is history.

I believe two angels, Joe’s mom, Sylvia, and my dad, Leo were up in heaven, conspiring to bring us together.

Though we found each other later in life, I couldn’t imagine sharing this crazy, unpredictable journey with anyone else. Joe is my heart, my partner, and my greatest blessing.