Pack Your Bags, We're getting Married!

Lauren and David met while separately out in NYC on October 8, 2015. David has an emotional tie to this date because on October 8, 2008 while in college he suddenly lost his father Thomas Salese. Dave would gather with friends on this date every year for drinks and a Chinese food dinner. Dave and his family have fond memories of their father's love for the Chinese food and use it as a tribute to him on special occasions. Lauren was out with her cousin Antonia Olimipo, who Lauren considers a sidekick. They would often be with each other daily or weekly. On this night they headed out side by side to a local neighborhood spot called the Ainsworth Park. In true Dave fashion upon entering he mistakenly knocked into Lauren while she was sitting at the bar with Antonia, almost knocking her out of her off the bar stool. David stunned by his clumsiness and the sheer beauty of Lauren, whom he almost sent flying to the ground, tried making right. He continuously apologized for physically bumping into the duo and insisted on supplying another round of drinks. This little sparkle was all it took to prompt what would be the start of this forever relationship. They spent the rest of the night ignoring their friends and family and just talking to each other and sharing stories. Dave picked up immediately how close the cousins were and knew that if he ever wanted to see Lauren again he would need to make a positive impression on Antonia. As the night was seeming to come to a close, Lauren told Dave that she lived on 24th and 3rd. David without mentioning to Lauren that he lived on the same block just across the street, offered to walk her home, insisting she may have a concussion from the collision. Lauren agreed to be walked home and when they arrived at her doorstep, Lauren politely asked David when his birthday was. David immediately said I am a Pisces and if you want to know my birthday you will need to let me take you out on a date. The rest is history…

On a Memorial Day weekend of 2019 David was able to convince Lauren again with the help of her cousin Antonia, go out for drinks to help Antonia with a work event. Lauren who was not thrilled to be going out since she was working the Holiday weekend agreed to go, mostly out of her loyalty to Antonia. David and Antonia had a master plan of going to Madison Square Park first to “meet” Antonia, and then out to an event that Antonia insisted she needed us there for. Antonia who helped design this plan wasn’t actually in the park but was waiting at a restaurant around the corner with all of David and Lauren’s family and friends. Madison Square Park was a place that Lauren and David considered special. They lived close to the park; they went on many dates there and spent a lot of their time together soaking up all the beauty the park has to offer. Once they approached the fountain in the middle of the park to meet Antonia, David dropped to one knee and asked Lauren if she would make him the happiest man on earth. Lauren was in shock and completely surprised by David’s actions screamed “YES,” and they were engaged. We are so happy to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with all of you in Italy and can’t wait for the celebration! See you in Sicily!