Love, in the time of Covid

June 27, 2020

Nearly four months into the worldwide lockdown, when New York City had become especially claustrophobic, a friend offered us an escape: a Fourth of July road trip to the Jersey Shore. After weeks alone in our apartments with seemingly endless wine and a nauseating amount of banana bread, it was a much-needed excuse for real human interaction. A small group of close friends piled into an eight-passenger van and headed toward the magical town of Wildwood, New Jersey.

Sarah was immediately intrigued by the one person on the trip that she didn’t know: a mysterious redheaded tech bro with an unexpected sense of humor. Mike was intrigued by her as well, as she sat in the sand with her outrageously large and impractical beach read, War and Peace. There, in the waves of the Atlantic, beneath a post-apocalyptic boardwalk, they struck up a conversation and quickly realized how much they had in common.

That evening, they dominated the beer pong table (this is factual history according to Mike), and between celebratory flirtation and alcohol-fueled confidence, a mutual crush formed. In an effort to get closer, Mike put on the most romantic movie he could think of: Midsommar. The rest of the week flew by – from iconic boat days captured on camera, to fireworks on a Williamsburg rooftop.

It was there in Wildwood, New Jersey, that they found love, in a hopeless place.

Since then, Mike and Sarah’s relationship has grown into a true partnership. They constantly teach each other new things – Sarah now understands the importance of field position and Mike can name at least six Sondheim musicals (try him). The past five years together have been filled with memorable moments – from coastal Italian getaways and camping in Maine, to climbing a volcano in Hawaii, to cozy weekends in their Greenpoint apartment watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy extended editions with Oscar curled up by their side (at least arm’s distance away).

And now, their love story has brought them to New Orleans, where they’re excited to start this next chapter of their lives together, surrounded by the people they love most. So, thank you for coming to celebrate with us, it truly means the world. Now, let’s party!