Like many modern love stories, ours began on Hinge, with Steve thinking Mariana was beautiful, and Mariana immediately asking about his dogs, Odin and Callie (score!).

But our story actually began a little earlier, during the terrible snowstorm the winter before we met. By chance, both of us moved to Boston on the same day (Steve returning and Mariana arriving for the first time), unknowingly ending up in the same snow-covered city that would soon bring us together.

Fast forward to September, on a sunny Thursday, when Mariana’s cousins canceled their dinner plans, a small twist of chance that set our story in motion. With an unexpectedly free evening (and Steve bailing on his plans with Will), we met for our first date at Sophia’s Grotto, a cozy Italian restaurant that quickly became a staple in our relationship. After dinner, we wandered through the Arboretum and ended up on Peter’s Hill, talking for hours (and yes, freezing just a little). Three years later, Steve brought the story full circle, recreating that same first date and proposing on Peter’s Hill in the exact spot where we shared our first kiss.

Now, about that proposal... technically, it wasn't his first. On our second date, Steve discovered that the only bar game Mariana loves, and is actually good at, is foosball. So, naturally, he got down on one knee and fake proposed (or so Mariana thought).

Since then, we’ve merged our lives in every way. Mariana has proudly embraced her role as dog step-mom, and together we’ve built our home (with a lot of help from Jeff). We’ve blended our families, adopted each other’s friends, and discovered new joys through one another, from Mariana’s surprising love of cross-country skiing to Steve’s ongoing quest to make the perfect Bolognese sauce.

From a snowstorm to a swipe, a fake proposal to a real one, our story has been full of laughter, love, and a lot of good food.

M&S