The day was May 1st 2021. For MaryKate it was her 24th birthday, a day planned on going out and celebrating with her fun with friends. Stephen, per usual was at a lacrosse game, getting honored for Chestnut Hill's Senior Day. Both days filled with joy, laughs, celebrations and arguably a little too much fun. And while their day was filled with memories and good times, neither MaryKate nor Stephen had any idea how the night was going to turn out.

The plan was simple, after the lacrosse game Stephen and the rest of the Chestnut Hill guys were going into Manayunk and taking over the town liked they used to do in their glory days. This was the first time the boys could really all party together since Covid hit, and the reunion was long overdue.

On the other side of the coin, MaryKate was figuring out the big moves for her big day. She had the girls ready, and all they needed to do was figuring out where they were heading. First thought was to explore the waterfront around Penn's Landing, but after Covid restrictions, Philly traffic, and an unnecessary amount of pending reservations the birthday celebration was headed to Manayunk.

Back in Manayunk at the Men's Lacrosse House, Stephen and the boys were unsuccessfully trying to figure out what bars could fit all 8 of them. Due to a number of reasons, the guys were struggling to get much accomplished, I'll let you guys use your imaginations. But then all of a sudden, one of Stephen's teammates yelled out "my girlfriend and her friends are going to Cuddy's! Wheels up in five!" And of course this was muddled over by the rest of the crew, but we had plans and they were in motion.

Both groups met up at J.D. McGillicuddy's, or Cuddy's, which to anyone that has ever stepped foot on the Third Floor in there knows, that true love is found at Cuddy's. Unfortunately, Stephen did not make a great first impression, you could say he was a bit full of himself. To be fair to MaryKate, Stephen wore gym shorts and polo that night, and he swore he looked good. (Stephen looked like an absolute stud that night) So unfortunately Cuddy's was not the place, but after a a few rounds and some long conversations, the crew decided to stop spending money on drinks and head back home.

On the walk home MaryKate discovered something, Stephen loved to talk, it was mainly about lacrosse, but he loved to talk. And as MaryKate walked back to the Lacrosse House she realized she walked back with Stephen the whole time, and it all felt easy.

Back at the house, like all excited white guys do, Stephen decided to make a fire, and due to his excitement he kept yelling. "Let's get this fire going!" And of course the entire time Stephen is building this fire, he's doing it to impress MaryKate. MaryKate had a smile that drove Stephen nuts, and she had a laugh that was absolutely contagious. Instead of going back into the party Stephen made the fire, it was his way of creating a space for the two of them. So as the party died down, the fire on the back porch roared to life, and while the rest of the guests were slowly trailing off, MaryKate and Stephen were out by that fire starting the rest of their lives.

After a slide into the DM's, a handful of dates, a graduation party where Stephen may or may not have been a dingus, a whole bunch of lacrosse, and a whole bunch of time MaryKate and Stephen are finally getting married this May.

We are so excited to share this journey with you, and we are so excited to keep this fire going.

M&S

Wedding Day

Reception