May 25, 1985
Mandy was born in Strasbourg, France and soon after immigrated to Oakland, California. Her love for Bay Area Sports and hatred for the Los Angeles Dodgers runs deep, but above all, she loves helping people feel less alone. It didn't take long enough for her to start dreaming of finding her own prince charming and partner-in-crime to adventure through life with.
July 11, 1985
Brian was born on Long Island, New York. His love for sandwiches, the New York Jets and Yankees started very early. He cries at movies, commercials and every time he sees people experiencing love. The universe took it’s time finding someone who could love as big and deep as he does.
December 14, 2020
Mandy decided she needed to be clear with the universe about what she wanted to manifest and invite into her life, specifically when it came to finding the right life partner. On the last New Moon of 2020 (what a year amirite?!), Mandy created a vision board and very specific list of what she wanted 2021 to bring. On her vision board, she included images of an engagement ring, a timeless love, a destination wedding and many more personal and professional goals. She also created a very detailed list of traits she wanted to find in her future husband. Some of these characteristics included: "New Yorker with a thick New York accent," "Someone who gets excited about food," "Someone who is kind and generous to waiters," "Someone who wakes up jolly," "Someone who wants to build a life and start a family in New York City," "Someone who will love and spoil my nephews and family." The list truly went on for 2 whole pages of binder paper (front and back), but we won't bore you with all the details.
January 11, 2021
Mandy and Brian both swiped right and immediately began discussing food. Specifically sandwiches.
January 28, 2021
After a few weeks of chatting, Brian and Mandy finally met for a date. Since it was love in times of COVID-19, they wanted to make sure they could safely hangout...and, well, Brian may have also used it as an excuse to stall because he thought Mandy was a catfish. Much to his surprise, she had organized to have his favorite sandwich (also featured in the epic New York City love story, When Harry Met Sally) delivered since they weren't able to eat indoors at Katz's Deli (and it was a VERY cold winter night). He immediately text his best friend KT to let her know he was not in any immediate danger and Mandy was not a catfish. Fun fact: January 28 was the first Full Moon of 2021 and astrologically it is known to be the luckiest day of not just 2021, but in 36 years. It's also known as "The Day of Miracles" when the Sun and Jupiter, planet of luck and expansion, connect in the cosmos, forming something astrologers call a conjunction and bringing good vibes for all. Well, I guess you could say this love story was written in the stars (or at first bite of that delicious Katz's Pastrami Sandwich).
January 30, 2021
Mandy and Brian found themselves snowed in on one of the biggest blizzards New York had seen in 5 years. Brian decided to really show off by making his world famous lasagna (which is actually his mom's recipe, so don't give him too much credit). They also both decided it made total sense to FaceTime their families and let them know they had both met their future spouses after only meeting each other in person 48 hours before. You can imagine how that went over.
February 9, 2021
Mandy and Brian got stuck in another record breaking blizzard...again. This time they ordered pizza and binge watched Schitt's Creek.
February 12, 2021
NYC finally opened up indoor dining just in time for Valentine's Day. Brian quickly tried to surprise Mandy with dinner reservations. Resy crashed. So, they decided, why not take a couple of PCR tests and head to Cancun. After all, as Brian's favorite actor Bill Murray said, “If you have someone you think is the one, take them and travel around the world. Buy a plane ticket for the two of you to travel all over the world, to places that are hard to reach and hard to get out of. And when you land at JFK and you're still in love with that person, get married.” So, they went. They extended their trip because they were having so much fun. And, they returned back to JFK more certain than ever that they had both found the one.
July 11, 2021
It was Brian's birthday weekend and Mandy had surprised him with a New York Jets cake. It was at that moment that Brian decided every other elaborate engagement plan he had been discussing with family and friends couldn't wait any longer. On Brian's actual birthday, 7/11 (shoutout to Free Slurpee Day and another lucky day of the year), Mandy had hosted a rooftop party for Brian's birthday with friends. Right there, when she least expected it (luckily she had just fixed a broken nail the day before), Brian dropped down on one knee (with their family on FaceTime) and asked her to be his wife. She was, and still is, VERY shocked this day has finally come (but, also, like came so soon?) and can't stop obsessing over her ring that seems to be much bigger than Kaitlyn Bristowe or Kim Kardashian's (but, hey, who's counting carats anyway). Head to Mandy's Instagram to watch the full proposal video. Forgive her for dropping a few f-bombs...she was shocked, ok?!