Well, not exactly — it was really the millennial equivalent of walking into a bar: swiping right on Tinder. Sarah swiped for his Betty Boop Spice Girls tee and kind hazel eyes; Stephen swiped for her orangey-red dress and winning smile. As graduates of Oberlin and Bard, it wasn’t surprising we had a bunch of mutual friends. Before meeting up, we joked over text, swapping GIFs and deep-cut memes, like Yoda “going back for more olive.” On an early evening in mid-June 2019, we had our first date on the patio outside Covenhoven, a beer garden in Crown Heights. Suffice it to say: it wasn’t really love at first sight. (Sarah thought Stephen was, of all descriptors, “too corporate” and “too normie”). Still, we shared a few laughs and a brief kiss on the corner of New York Ave & Prospect Place. We both left the date curious but unsure. A few weeks later, we were brought together again, this time to mourn the sudden loss of our mutual friend, Devra. Perhaps it was the heartache, or the stories we could share about Devra, but these circumstances somehow made us more open to each other, more real, and more our true selves. Sitting in a booth at Bernie’s in Greenpoint, martinis in hand, sketching with crayons on the table space between us, we both recall that we felt as if we’d known each other for years. That night, what we consider our Actual First Date, featured an icebox cake, a walk along the East River after midnight, and a — sorry to our moms — stolen “No Smoking” sign from a bar bathroom. Since then, we’ve been pretty much inseparable — except for Stephen’s weekly outings to Horror Club, since Sarah’s threshold for scary movies is the Disney Channel Original Movie Smart House. A loving partnership grown from our unique and deranged sense of humor, our shared passions (rom-coms, musicals, travel, Edith, art, puzzles, food), and our commitment to evolve together. Whether kayaking on the Peconic Bay in Long Island, or looking out from the top of the Eiffel Tower, we enjoy each other at every moment. We see our love as a testament to our Jewish values and beautiful community of family & friends. We’re thrilled to celebrate our life and our love with you, sweet Guests of Our Wedding!!! We love you all. Let’s goooooooo!

Those who know us are well aware: we like to make our own way and rules, especially when it comes to gender norms and societal expectations. In memory of Stephen’s late uncle, Herbert Perlin, as well as many of the Perlins and Hastens who died in the Holocaust, we will honor Stephen's matrilineal heritage with our name change. We are BOTH changing our last names to Perlin and carrying forward this important family line. Introducing Sarah and Stephen Perlin!!!