We started dating in summer 2012, after meeting at an Applebee's. We bonded over our love for books- specifically Stephen King- history, and travel. We'd been dating for a few months when Hurricane Sandy hit, which left us separated and dealing with our respective work/family after the storm. We said "I love you" for the first time on the phone after the hurricane, and were separated for nearly two weeks due to Tricia working in a hotel which was swamped with Sandy evacuees, and Rich taking care of his elderly mother as well as working at a school that was over an hour away, with limited gas. That's the longest we've ever been apart!

We took our first vacation together in February 2013 to Washington DC. To this day, that's one of our favorite trips we've ever taken! Since then, we've gone to NYC many times, Philly, Florida, Virginia, PA, and have several trips planned. We are tentatively planning a Route 66 road trip honeymoon!

Our favorite things to do together going shopping, to the book store, traveling, going to the movies, and hanging out at home with our cat.

Tricia was born in Long Branch, NJ and moved many times throughout her childhood- mostly in Monmouth County. She was a bookworm throughout childhood and reading is still her favorite hobby. In high school she participated in track, drama club, color guard, poetry club, and latin club. She went to college in Florida for hospitality management and has worked mostly in hotels. She currently works in dispatch, having recently obtained her 911 operator certification. She also works in the hotel industry- doing occasional overnight shifts doing overnight accounting. She is obsessed with Christmas, Pinterest, and obscure history. She also knows the words to every Taylor Swift song.

Rich was born and raised in Jersey City and spent his childhood there, his family later moved to Old Bridge. Rich has degrees from Rutgers University and New Jersey City University, including advanced degrees in education. In college, he graduated with honors and was a member of honor societies as well as the Gamma Sigma fraternity. He works for the South Brunswick Public Schools. He is a huge Yankees fan, loves Rutgers football, science, history, and also enjoys DIY projects, trains, and science fiction like Star Trek.