The Beginning
Out of bad news came love. Melissa’s mother, Sue, was diagnosed with lung cancer on the day after Melissa’s school closed for the year. Melissa rushed to Philadelphia that next day and spent over a month helping her mother through the experience. Knowing that it would not be possible for her to meet anyone in person over the summer, her friend, Vanessa convinced her to try the Coffee Meets Bagel app. At this same time, David (who lived in Annapolis) expanded the radius the app used to suggest people to include the D.C. area. This convergence of events allowed Melissa and David to be selected as matches, and changed their lives forever! On July 7, the day before Sue’s surgery, David wrote a humorous and adorable message to Melissa that convinced her of their unique connection.
Over the next month, Melissa and David spoke on the phone and over text for hours on end each night, with Melissa laughing more than she had in a long time. Learning later in their relationship that David despised speaking on the phone and via text, Melissa was even more impressed with his true interest in getting to know her! During that month of talking, they found out their long list of commonalities - both of their grandparents taking them to NYC each summer of their childhoods to see Broadway shows, watching movies (especially cheesy ones like Top Secret!), reading the Harry Potter series, and traveling abroad. They knew that if they weren’t entirely repulsed by each other when meeting in person, this relationship would be something special. David took the initiative to stop by Philadelphia to meet Melissa on July 24th as he was on his way back from a trip to New England. From the moment they met in person, it was as if they had known each other for a long time. There was an immediate comfort level and connection, especially when they decided to see The Incredibles II on part 3 of their first date! When Melissa returned home to Virginia a bit later, they spent as much time together as possible...almost every weekend. Laughing and sharing their lives was a constant, knowing that this was different than past relationships. This was true love. As Melissa’s mother has said, if nothing else, her cancer diagnosis helped to bring them together. The rest is history! The Road to Forever
Since partnering up in July 2018, David and Melissa have weathered some rough storms. This included the death of Melissa’s father, Louis. David rose to the occasion, providing support and encouragement to both Melissa and her mother. Together they helped each other to withstand the challenges of illness: David broke his foot and was relegated to a cast for a couple of months, Melissa had a minor surgery in May, and David’s mother spent time at the hospital. They also had to deal with life’s challenges like pressures like work - David worked as a defense contractor and Melissa as a middle school ESOL teacher. They approached these experiences with the same as the good ones; they laughed, cried, and helped each other to come out of it feeling loved and protected. They knew that they were in it together forever.
Speaking of togetherness, Melissa and David have shared many a good time together! They saw innumerous movies, went to musical theatre productions, tried out each other’s favorite restaurants, hung out with each other’s friends, went to the Maryland Renaissance Festival twice, visited each other’s families for major and minor events (including Melissa’s niece’s Bat Mitzvah, Thanksgiving, and David’s mother’s birthday, to name a few), went to see Melissa’s favorite band, Mumford and Sons, and cooked together (David has incredible culinary skills) at home before snuggling up for a night in. What they didn’t have in common, they humored/appreciated that for which they were different. David even convinced Melissa to expand her gastronomical palate, and Melissa convinced David to order things without raw onions. Another special aspect of their relationship was David’s children getting to know Melissa and vice versa. Melissa felt welcomed by Maggie and Jonas (David’s children from a previous marriage) from the start! These incredible kiddos shared their father’s zest for life and diverse set of interests ranging from science to 80s music. From the beginning, they captured Melissa’s heart and have never let it go. The Proposal
Just a few months after they began dating, David invited Melissa to join him for a New Year’s Eve celebration at Jaleo, a Spanish restaurant in the D.C. area. David knew how much she loved Spanish food, particularly from her time studying abroad in Sevilla. The event involved endless tapas, live flamenco music, and a New Year’s toast with champagne. Though it seemed early to schedule so far in advance, Melissa felt confident that they would make it until then...and beyond.
As the night approached, it became clearer that there was something special between them. David frequently made innuendos in jest that he would propose to her one day using a candy ring. Melissa laughed it off, but knew that this would be how such an event would transpire! He enjoyed the film Deadpool as much, if not more than Melissa did, from which this gesture originated. Much to Melissa’s chagrin, her mother “subtly” hinted to David on multiple occasions that he could have some of the family’s stones to use and make a “special” ring. David said he would ask her for them when necessary. Jaleo turned out to be a blast, particularly for David’s and Melissa’s palates! The music and sangria flowed smoothly. When the clock struck midnight and welcomed in 2019, event guests were told to eat a bag of twelve grapes before 12:01 a.m., and make a wish. Melissa voraciously did this and knew exactly what to wish. Suddenly, David then took a big gulp of champagne and suspiciously asked Melissa what she wished. To this, Melissa said, “to be with you.” David probed further asking, “how long would you like to be with me?” Shyly, Melissa answered “forever.” David then fumbled with his suit jacket and took out a red and blue candy ring that he had apparently unwrapped earlier when Melissa went to the bathroom, and asked, “ok...will you be with me forever then?” In a state of shock, Melissa asked him if he was serious. She said he had to say the words in order for her to believe it! So David said, “will you marry me?” Suddenly, the ring was on her finger and they were engaged! They smiled, kissed, and cried with happiness for the rest of the celebration. It was incredibly romantic. |
Since New Year’s Eve, much has happened. David and Melissa set a wedding date - October 13, 2019, and began planning for the big event at The Historic Kent Manor Inn just off of the gorgeous Chesapeake Bay. Soon after, Melissa moved to Annapolis in mid-June after she and David bought a beautiful house together, David’s cat Clyde and Melissa’s cat Ricky became roommates/brothers, Melissa got to play stepmom for the summer with Maggie and Jonas while David worked, and they combined their lives and belongings together for cohabitation - ALL IN ONE WEEK!
It has been a whirlwind of trial and error, yet grounded in love, admiration, and wonderful memories. Now more than ever, Melissa and David feel certain that they are soulmates. They are extremely grateful for each other’s support and for the presence of their friends and family on this exciting day! |