Two years ago today....

Michael: I was on my one billionth j-date...or at least it felt that way. Every picture looked the same, one profile ran into another...Surfing the site became a wonderful cure for insomnia. But, there was something about this one that stood out....maybe it was her warm smile, or her sweet screenname "Joy in Philly," or the way she giggled during our two-hour phone conversation where we discussed our childhoods, our families, and most importantly our love of candy and ice cream. We must have spent twenty minutes talking all about "nutty buddies." I let her choose the restaurant....El Vez...overpriced food, but great mojitos. And we laughed and laughed and laughed. It was an evening that forever changed my life...and two years later, I am a better man. I indeed found my "Joy in Philly."

Mitzi: I can't say that I was nearly as experienced with the j-dates as Michael was (he has quite the stories!), but I did experience my own level of cynicism and doubt while hoping to eventually meet someone I could share my time with. Quite honestly, I just wasn't meeting people I felt as if I had much in common with, but I was still trying to give fate a chance while not getting too discouraged. Thank G-d I kept my membership going! I had seen Michael's profile before, so when I saw an email from him I was really excited....there was something "interesting" in his profile and picture. I immediately responded to the sweet introduction he threw out to me and was hopeful that we would connect. After a couple of days of emails, we ended up talking on the phone. It was truly the best conversation I've ever had with anyone.

I've heard people describe these types of situations as unique and so easy and familiar that it feels as if they had known the person before---and this was exactly what took place. It was a very special moment and during that call, I could hardly wait until our first date. It was then that it happened again....I can see it as clear as if it just happened....Michael walked around the corner with a bouquet of gorgeous sunflowers and it was if I already knew who he was. I'll never be able to fully understand or describe this.

Of course, we know it was a wonderful evening that made history in our lives. To sit here this evening in our beautiful home, as we plan our wedding and our future together----all I can think of it the amazing gift that G-d miraculously wove into my life that started with one email. You all know the amazing man Michael is. To become his wife is the most precious honor that I will ever hold. I love you, honey....

Michael: Look at this...I ask if she wants to write a few words and all of a sudden, there is this novel....It has been the best two years of my life...To the woman who rescued me from an amorous squirrel, battled the banana republic over the quality of my leather blazer, introduced me to the magic of meringues, cheers me on, consoles me, laughs with me, vents with me, debates with me, and coddles me....thank you. You are all I need to get by. ILY.

Introducing Sweet Bea....

After much anticipation and suspense, here is the apple of Mitzi's eye (next to her lovable fiancee of course....) Her new car, aptly named "Sweet Bea."

New Year Wishes

Tonight marks the beginning of the 10 holiest days in the Jewish religion. Starting with Rosh Hashanah, the "head of the Jewish year" we thank G-d for his many blessings, atone for indiscretions we have committed in the past year, and pray that we are inscribed in the Book of Life for another year. The 10-day period ends when the shofar is blown at the end of Yom Kippur (the day where we fast). The book is closed and our fates are sealed for the year ahead.

This year has been a wonderous one for us, full of new beginnings, love, laughter, and excitement. Having someone to come home to, to share thoughts, debates, dinners, conversations, hugs whenever wherever is the best gift I could have been given. Mitzi has touched my life in ways I can not even describe and at one of the darkest times in my life, the loss of my grandfather, she was there...not just for me, but for my parents, my sister, my uncle and my grandmother. And tonight, as we sat around the table for holiday dinner, it was obvious that she is no longer Michael's girlfriend, she is now a valued, trusted, and loved member of my family.

The year ahead promises to be even more exciting, spectacular, amazing, nail-biting, nerve wracking....putting a wedding together is quite a project, but we are working together to make this this milestone the best it can be and thankfully, our parents have proven to be both nurturing and tremendously supportive.

Mitzi and I wish all of you a L'Shana Tova Tikvatanu, sweet wishes for a wonderful new year. May you laugh more than you cry, celebrate, achieve, follow your goals and find your way. We hope all of us are inscribed in the Book of Life for a sweet, enlightening new year.

The Summer Sun Is Setting....

Labor Day has come and gone....where did the Summer go? Time is flying at an incredibly fast pace and May will be here before we know it.

Mitzi spent Labor Day weekend in North Carolina with her family and she had a wonderful time. Every minute was accounted for, from taking her brother to the beach, to shopping with her mom, and gossiping with her sister Nicole. She was spoiled with steak dinners and crab imperial and most importantly, she spent quality time with her parents, who she misses very much. It was a lovely weekend....she said only one thing was missing....I wonder what that was.

I spent the weekend in Margate with my folks, Brittany, her boyfriend Danny and my friends Judy and Craig. We really lucked out with the weather, but sadly not at the casino. We'll be trying to get down the shore as much as possible in the weekends ahead, soaking every last drop of the beach.

Our tennis game is also really coming along. It has become quite addictive and a wonderful way to relieve steam. Between my forehand and Mitzi's amazing backhand, we are a force to be reckoned with. (Here's a fun fact--Did you know Mitzi was ranked fourth in the state in high school? She was a regular "Mitzi McEnroe.") Special thanks to my mom, who has made a fun opponent on the courts while Mitzi was away.