Just as Amanda was getting ready to delete the dating app Hinge, she noticed Justin liked her and said “Your smile 😍😍😍”

She answered him with the typical “Hey what's up?”

At first they started talking on the app and then exchanged phone numbers. They agreed to plan a night where they could FaceTime.

The first time they spoke on FaceTime, they talked for over three hours. It felt like speaking to a friend that you haven’t seen in months, just picked up where you left off.

After having a great conversation, Justin planned their first date, dinner at Savini in Allendale, New Jersey.

When the date finally came, Amanda didn’t want to go. Due to an eye injury, she wasn't able to wear her contact lenses and had to wear her glasses. She did enjoy her initial conversation with Justin and decided “what the hell, this is me, take it or leave it” and met Justin for dinner.

At the restaurant, they enjoyed delicious appetizers and entrees. When the waiter asked if they wanted dessert, Amanda said no until Justin said he wanted an espresso martini (a prompt that Justin had on his Hinge profile 😏) sooo naturally, Amanda got one too.

When the espresso martinis came to the table, Amanda started to explain that certain restaurants add three beans for different reasons, like the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit or good health, good wealth, and happiness, etc. Being Italian, Amanda obviously talks with her hands, in doing so, she spilled almost the entire espresso martini across the dinner table. Two waiters saw and quickly came to the table with napkins.

Amanda was mortified…and Justin was in love.

From the first date on, Amanda and Justin were inseparable. They spent time getting to know each other's family and friends, trips down the Jersey Shore, date nights, vacations, and their favorite - date nights at home, cooking dinner together and watching a movie on the couch (A prompt that both Amanda and Justin had on their hinge profile as their ideal date night at home 🙂)

In August 2023, Amanda and Justin decided to take the next steps and sign a lease on a condo and move in together.

Having their own place together, Amanda wanted to host Easter Sunday at their home with both families. Unfortunately, Justin’s family could not make it and arranged to have a “second Easter Sunday” the following weekend when everyone was available.

The week leading up to this big family dinner, Justin was a mess. He kept telling Amanda he was stressed out and constantly checking her nails. Since they were going to dinner in Piermont, Justin had asked Amanda if she wanted to take a walk before dinner. Amanda agreed.

Amanda had a feeling - this is it! He’s going to propose, he’s nervous, keeps checking her nails, and wants to take a walk before dinner.

The day was here, Saturday April 6th, 2024. Amanda went about her day as she usually would on a Saturday, while Justin was very quiet.

They decided to take an Uber to the restaurant so “they would be able to enjoy themselves.” In the Uber, Amanda asked Justin if he still wanted to “take that walk” and Justin quickly replied “no.” So they sat in silence until they arrived at the restaurant.

Amanda and Justin sat at the bar while they waited for their family to arrive.

Amanda being Amanda, turned to Justin and said “you know, I thought you were going to propose today.” and Justin quickly said “no, why would you think that?” In that moment Amanda decided, if she wasn’t getting a ring, she might as well get a buzz 😅

After dinner, Amanda, Justin, and their families went near the water to take a family photo. As Amanda was gathering the group, she turned around and Justin was down on one knee with Amanda’s dream ring.

He said, 'your intuition was right, will you marry me?’

Amanda of course said OH MY GOD, YESSSS with tears all over her face.

They enjoyed the rest of the night celebrating with their close family and friends ❤️

Both Amanda and Justin are looking forward to their big day and cannot wait to celebrate with their favorite people!

See you on August 16, 2025!!!

A&J