We could tell you that we started dating after a night out in Brooklyn. We could tell you that, and technically, it would be true. We ran into each other at a mutual friend’s birthday party at Halyards Bar in Gowanus on a Saturday in October 2019. We watched football with friends the next day, and went on our first date 2 days later. But you all, our closest friends and family, deserve the full story. Our love story really began how all classic love stories do: sitting one seat away from each other at Monster Jam Monster Truck Rally in Richmond, Virginia in February 2016. James was in grad school in Richmond with Melissa’s longtime friend Michelle, whom Melissa was visiting that weekend. And when Monster Jam comes to town, you commit to the bit, and rally all your friends to go, jorts, trucker hats, and all. Despite the amount of brain cells lost that night due to the carbon monoxide emissions in the enclosed arena where Monster Jam takes place (concerning), we lightly chatted, and in the years following, we’d see each other out at the occasional party (including one featuring a magician hired off of craigslist), and continue on with our lives. Until that evening in October 2019. In hindsight, that first meeting foreshadowed a partnership built on the foundation of co-navigating the strangeness of life with unabashed silliness and an unrelenting excitement for experiencing new things together. Plus, at that Monster Truck Rally, it was clear we had a mutual appreciation for loud, oversized quadrupeds. We even ended up with a monster truck of our own. His name is Wally. We love each other deeply, you all know that - that’s why this wedding website exists in the first place - and we are so honored and excited to celebrate our love with the people who have been there along the way. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for all the beautiful memories and support over the years. We owe you one hell of a dance party.