Our families' summer homes in Wildwood Crest, NJ have been the backdrop to a lifetime of shared memories right across the street from each other. Through game nights and summer BBQs, Mike and I gradually developed a friendship, with each summer adding a new layer of memories brining us closer.

Throughout the years, the universe seemed to conspire in bringing us together, with even our neighbors playfully speculating, 'What if Michael and Francesca became a thing?' But it wasn't until the spring of 2021 that with a little bit of liquid courage and the right timing turned our friendship into something more.

Almost 2 inseparable years later, Mike orchestrated the most heartfelt proposal at a place that holds immeasurable meaning for us — a bench dedicated to his father, overlooking the waters of Sunset Lake. This cherished place, set against the backdrop of the beach town that's witnessed our growing relationship, became the stage for the most magical surprise of my life.

Now, as we're about to enter this new chapter of our lives, we are so excited to celebrate this journey with you. It's a story years in the making, a testament to the notion that sometimes the most profound love grows from the seeds of friendship, nurtured by time and the right twist of fate. We can't wait to share the continuation of our story with you!