(comma), Sal must’ve been intrigued because he was the one who showed up to McFaddens to witness the craziness himself.

Before Sal arrived, we might have been partaking in some drinking of adult beverages and were pretty intoxicated. Sal was at the back of the outside area by one of the beer tubs. My friend thought she recognized him and went over and claimed that he was on J-Date (a Jewish dating site). Sal adamantly denied that he was on J-Date because he wasn’t Jewish, but Lamberg didn’t believe him. After a few minutes, I went up to apologize for my friend and we started talking. Since it has been 16 years, I don’t really remember what was said or if he even asked for my number; however, the rest is history.

Our first official date was at Chickie and Pete's on the boulevard. We chatted, ate, and drank and then had our romantic first kiss in the parking lot. By the end of October he had asked me to go with him to the World Series Gala (I believe on the day of the actual event). Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to wear my Foamhead, but we had a great time. One of the first pictures of us together was taken at this event.

The Phillies made it to the World Series that year and I was lucky enough to be able to share that experience with him. Game 5 was broken up into 2 parts due to weather, and my friend Lamberg had a brother who lived in New York that couldn’t make it for the second portion. It was amazing to be able to witness the historic win in person with my friend and her family. We cried, hugged, took pictures, and then eventually parted ways. I was enjoying the mayhem around the ballpark on my walk to the subway and got a text from Sal. He asked if I wanted to join in on the celebration. I was along for the ride that night (granted no one really knew who I was) and again more pictures were taken and memories made. I cherish that night and the special moments that we didn’t know at the time would be something that we can look back on together for the rest of our lives.

After that fairy tale World Series victory, there were many fun times, bar hang outs, holidays, trips to Wildwood and Sea Isle, Pittsburgh, Ireland and everything in between. We had fun.

Fast forward to 2010 which is where phase 1 ended because 27 year old Bridget wasn’t ready for the next step.

Luckily we kept in touch over the years and both were able to be there for each other during times of loss. We also checked-in via text every once in a while and of course had random ballpark (and CORA golf outings) run-ins.

PHASE 2

We reconnected in December 2022 and started talking again. It took a little while, but we both realized that we still had feelings for one another although we weren't sure where it was going to go. A few months later I donated my bone marrow and Sal was there for me every step of the way. It was around that time that I also asked him to be my plus one to Jen and Austin Ford's wedding. We seemed to pick up right where we left off in 2010 and luckily that brought us to where we are today.

“You’re on J-Date.”

“I’m not Jewish.”

It was a simple interaction in McFadden’s between one of Bridget’s friends and Sal in the Summer of 2008 that started a great love story.

Sal and Bridget went on their first real date a few weeks later at Chickie’s & Pete’s and had their first kiss in the parking lot, very romantic! They dated for 2 years, and despite being very much in love, life took them in different directions. Sal and Bridget stayed in touch over the years and would bump into each other from time to time. Timing was never right to get back together, but both were there for each other during difficult times of loss.

“Phase 2” of their story started when they reconnected during Christmas break of 2022. Less than a year later they were engaged.

The entire engagement and wedding planning was pulled right out of a storybook. The proposal occurred on the exact spot they met. Bridget's engagement ring contains her grandmother's diamond and her mother's wedding band. The church where the Mass will be held is Bridget's childhood parish. Sal's grandmother and Bridget's mother would take younger family members to the Franklin Institute. Their "second first date" was at the Assembly Room at The Logan hotel.

Even their first ("governmental") wedding on Leap Day of this year took place in two shore towns that have special meanings to the couple.

Sal and Bridget are excited to begin this chapter of their life together and look forward to celebrating with everyone.

Salute and Slainte!