As the great Taylor swift once said “all along there was this invisible string - tying you to me”. When David was 14, his family moved to Ireland for a year. When they decided to move back, David hadn’t applied to any high schools, and was fortunate to have connections that got him accepted at Padua Franciscan. It’s no coincidence that in his World History class, there was a girl who was paying very close attention; to the class… not to him. The details are unclear… but I’m sure Jaclyn raised her hand and answered a question about WW2 or corrected the teacher about what actually happened that led to the French Revolution. And David, wise in his own right; recognized “beauty and brains”… and the invisible string formed. It started just as friends. They had common interests in sports, movies, and in some ways; each other. Then they parted ways, for the time being. Over the next 15 years, they would check in with each other; get the odd dinner or see a movie. The spark never fully lit, but that invisible string was inevitably growing stronger. Things like baseball, travel, and the Peaky Blinders would end up keeping them in contact. But it appeared as though they always just “missed” each other. But in the mean time, David had devised a “list”. And this list became rather infamous among his friends and potential suitors. It was a list of qualities he wanted in his eventual wife. A list he prayed about, and stuck steadfast to. (More to come about this list). Jackie was often galavanting through Europe with friends, and undoubtedly leaving a wake of broken hearts behind her. One day in January of 2022, David was working out in the gym at his apartment. He was scrolling through social media, like you all do when you workout; and he had an urge to check up on Jackie. (He didn’t follow her at this time, because that’s how you win a woman over.. playing hard to get. He also wasn’t sure if she had a boyfriend or not). Jaclyn’s most recent post was of her at a wedding. Upon seeing this sequence of photos, David said out loud, “What is that?”. He was referring to Jackie. It was like he had seen her again for the very first time. And yet, she was unlike anything he had ever seen. He said to himself, “F#%k it, I’m going to ask her out”. David, who had been on 1 date in 2 years (obviously not due to a lack of interest) due to an abundance of self control and oh yeah… that list. Did what any modern “Romeo” would do, he slid in Jackie’s DM’s and said “We should do brunch” To which Jackie replied, “Let’s 👏🏼”. They’ve been together ever since. The string was then forged into a strong rope and bound us together. Now onto tying that thing into a knot! 🪢

For our first Christmas together, David surprised me with a trip to Paris (I know, right?) We both are well-seasoned travelers but have never been to the city of love. Naturally, my wheels began turning with “what ifs” and “how romantics”. I then began prepping outfits, researching historical sites and reading menus of Michelin star restaurants. I wasn’t completely privy to all of the details - where we were staying, certain meals and events. I just knew to bring my best and prepare for the trip of a lifetime. Once the time came, I loaded my XL, overweight bags and hopped on the flight with my “boyfriend”. We landed in Paris and headed to the most gorgeous hotel - le cinq codet. From the jump we scoured the streets for patisseries and the comfort foods of France. Day 2, we had plans to see the Louvre, do some shopping and have a special dinner at Girafe. We both prepared for the night and David was relaxed and calm, per usual. We had the best meal over looking the Eiffel Tower complete with a street DJ dance party. I didn’t know what was coming next. We headed to walk over to the Seine and watch the tower light up … at 10 pm. As we sat along the bank of the river watching, I could tell something was happening from David’s body language. Once the tower lit- we stood up for a “photo” and he said to me “I have asked you here for another reason”…and proceeded to ask me to marry him! I was in shock and awe as two photographers jumped out and filmed the entire thing. I said YES as if it was the only word I knew- I couldn’t get it out fast enough. We had special moments by the river and spent the next hour taking photos around the sparkling lights of the Eiffel. It was so magical and surreal, truly a film moment. David had every detail down to a T- the ring was hand made to my exact dream diamond. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world 🍀

I don’t know if there was a specific moment that I knew I was going to marry her. But there was also never a doubt that I would. In the months prior, there were so many conversations and decisions that I had to keep secret. Like for example, The trip with my Mom to Caterina’s Fine Jewelry (shameless plug) to design Jackie’s ring. Or the decision for my parents to keep the ring at their house just incase Jac looked in my sock drawer. The conversation with her father, asking for his blessing. Hiring photographers, getting the perfect hotel to reserve for the week. And, good luck getting a reservation at Girafe from halfway across the world. I wanted it to be epic, that’s what she deserved. I’m a big believer that if you’re going to do it once, do it right. The first major hurdle was TSA, the last thing I Wanted was them pulling my bag aside and asking, “Hey Sir, what’s this?!” … and I’d have to ask her infront of Auntie Anne’s at Cleveland Hopkins Airport. But in all honesty, the travel part was a breeze. Which is unique if you’ve ever traveled with the Gallagher’s. Then came hiding the ring while we were in France. The safe in the hotel room was the only logical place, and I’d say I checked it atleast 5x the first day we were there. It wasn’t a tall task, but I also had to make sure that Jac was dressed in her best the night of the proposal. I definitely used my sales skills to advocate for certain outfits, shoes, etc. I kept telling her, “Babe, we’re going to dinner at the best restaurant in Paris. This is literally the perfect place to wear your “Sunday best”. It worked. Dinner was incredible, the view was breathtaking (I was facing her)… and the view behind me was of the Eiffel Tower, which I’m sure was amazing in its own right. I have a picture of her at dinner, looking at the menu. It’s so funny to think back; she had no idea what was about to happen. After dinner we walked down to “a spot”.. that I had convinced her we had to go to after dinner because it had the perfect view of the tower. Women love a man with a plan. I was navigating the streets of Paris, following a “pin” that had been sent to me by our photographer who was already in position. When we descended down the concrete steps and made our way along the cobblestone road parallel to the Seine, I had eyes on our “spot”. The photographer and videographer were there acting inconspicuous, taking pictures of each other and doing their best not to draw attention to themselves. We sat down right infront of the tower and as night began to fall, and the tower began to light up, I gave them a “thumbs up 👍🏼” behind my back to let them know it was show time. (Jac often reminds me that I was acting cool, as usual. Not surprised) I stood up, took Jac by the hand, and began to tell her why I had brought her here.. to this spot. I knew what I was going to say, because there were specific things that I wanted her to know in that moment. I thanked her, asked her some preliminary questions, told her that “On a night like this, even in a place like this… nothing shines as bright as you do… never lose that.” And then I asked the ultimate question, I went down on one knee and asked her if she would do me the absolute honor of being my wife, and I said “Jaclyn, will you marry me?” She said the only thing I needed to hear, “Yes!”… she then said (in reference to the ring)… “I don’t even need to see it… yes” she also said “There could’ve been a Cheeto in there, I would’ve said yes”. But don’t take that for advice. We spent the rest of the night strolling the streets of Paris taking epic photos that will last a life time. But I think my favorite part of the entire night, we snuck into a little Parisian cafe, sat outside and ordered a celebratory drink. It was just us. It was our night. I’ll obviously never forget that night, It was ours. It was a vision that became reality, a fairy tale. But make no mistake, I’m the lucky one in all of this.