There are three sides to every story: his side, her side and the truth. And so we begin…

Love is a funny thing. It’s not funny like Vinny’s comedy routine and thank god for that. It’s unclear when they met, but the two spent many summers next door to one another on Beaver Lake. Growing up, Maria was a shy tomboy who was too scared to touch a fish. When Maria did decide to express herself, her exaggerations were filled with sarcasm as long as her ponytail. Vinny was also shy but most of the time a jokester with hands full of water balloons. Maria spent her time relaxing in the water whereas Vinny was the nephew to a scrooge of an uncle who would torment poor Vinny while he tried to bask in the sun.

In Vinny's mind, a book filled with wild ideas, Maria was a mystery. She would never tell him how she really felt about him, instead like a school girl she would convince her sister Lisa to initiate a game of four square or Pictionary. Maria, on the other hand, saw Cousin Vinny as the necessary sixth person needed to have even teams.

Vinny hardly ever said two words to Maria while in New Hampshire. He would stare at her from afar and quickly look away when she caught him. Maria would return the glance. In her mind, a web of anxiety, she wondered “Why is he staring at me?” Vinny thought “What a cute back-and-forth game!”

As the years went on, Vinny never gave up on Maria. He was determined to woo the girl next door. On one rainy day, Vinny showed up to NH unannounced as he often did. This time his family was nowhere to be found. Maria and her family felt obligated to entertain Vinny. Maria, feeling bad for him, offered to have him tag along on a tour of her new apartment and a late night movie with Lisa and Vinny saw this as a sign. Although the night ended with an awkward silence between the two, Vinny was left with a sense of success. In his eyes, it was only the beginning.

About six months later, Vinny decided to do what any self-respecting gentleman would do: comment on one of her Instagram photos and slide into her DMs. Now if you have learned anything so far about Vinny, you know that it probably wasn’t very flattering. “Damn Maria, this pic makes your shoulders look jacked lol have you been hitting the weights or is that just the result of living the thug life in the mean streets of Lawrence?” Embarrassed, Vinny quickly began Phase 2 of his plan by sliding into Maria’s DMs by apologizing for his comment.

For some odd reason, Maria played along and replied back. After a few messages back and forth, Vinny convinced Maria to give him her number and the two decided to go to Margaritas. You can probably guess what happened next. Vinny fled the country! When he returned, the two did go to Margaritas. Maria was a wreck anxiously wondering what in the world they would talk about. After discussing it with her roommates, Katie and Holly, the three created a game plan. It was agreed the majority of the conversation would pertain to Vinny’s recent trip around Europe. When she did ask, Vinny didn’t have much to say. Apparently what happens in Europe, stays in Europe. Maria tried prompting Vinny for more details, but Vinny continued to reply with the same response over and over. “It was good. Marc must have already told you all about it.” Marc, in fact, did not tell Maria anything about the trip except Vinny had smelly shoes and forgot to pack underwear... After a long awkward silence, the two decided it was a great idea to continue the date and go bowling.

At this point during the date, Vinny finally began to feel comfortable with Maria. While bowling, Vinny began adding to his score when he started to lose. Maria called him out on it. To this day, Vinny still denies he lost to a girl. The night ended with a hug and Maria started to have second thoughts about this ruggedly handsome man people called Cousin Vinny. Vinny, on the other hand, thought he had failed with his dream girl, but reached down and dug up the courage to ask her on a second date. This led to Maria going on not just a second date but many of Vinny’s half-baked dates like going to the beach during a thunderstorm to watch fireworks.

After a year and some change, Vinny decided to pop the question on April Fool’s Day in very Vinny-like fashion. What a brilliant idea! This is going to go over like a lead balloon. Vinny arranged a diabolical scavenger hunt to get Maria out of her apartment. This ploy would give Vinny enough time to set up for the proposal. The first clue led Maria to her apartment and then to Margaritas. There was only one thing missing at Margaritas. Vinny. Why not leave you may ask? In order to get her next clue, Maria had to wait until she received the check that contained the next clue. Leaving Margaritas, Maria only had one thing on her mind and one thing only: murder Vinny. Maria followed the clues that led her back to her apartment. It was time for the fake proposal. Vinny planned everything to the T. The only thing he didn’t account for was Maria’s anger. Maria was unamused. “Vinny, you’ve taken it too far this time. First, you propose with a tin foil ring. Now, you are fake proposing with a real ring. This isn’t funny.” How romantic! Clearly Vinny did not remember that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. After a couple of right-hooks to the gut and lots of yelling, Maria hesitantly said yes.

Despite the two different perspectives, Vinny’s triumph proves that love truly knows no boundaries. If you believe in your delusions hard and long enough, others will start believing in them too. You have now heard his side and her side. Vinny and Maria will leave it up to you to find the truth.