January 11th of 2018 Anthony got down on one knee in Paris, France.
October 31st of 2020 we walked our first walk with our close family and friends
October 29th 2021 we will be able to finally say our vows to one another.

We look forward to you all joining us as we celebrate this long awaited moment.

Hi there...Got a few minutes? I want you to read something...It's Anthony by the way, one half of the couple you are currently stalking on The Knot. You now know our date, our venue, and what spatula we liked from Bed, Bath & Beyond..but do you really know us? Would you like to?

Grab a coffee, butter an English muffin...let's begin...

To set the scene of how it all began, turn on Spotify and put on "Low" by Flo Rida, or fire up Iron Man on Netflix, this will catapult you into the 2007-2008 school year where Francesca and I met.

In the forgotten borough of Staten Island, Moore Catholic High School was the only private school on the island that had a dedicated performing arts department.

I was a Senior, Francesca, a Freshwoman.

Our performing arts group was a family, we were a tight knit group of about 100 students who had ambitions to pursue all the corners of the entertainment industry. Students would have specific classes and even declare majors after freshman year. I had declared for Acting and Francesca would become a Vocal major. We were both in the chorus together, performing in the Christmas show and later the spring musical, Guys and Dolls. We certainly knew each other, but at this point in our lives, nothing more. We may not be High School sweethearts, but we're sweethearts who went to high school together and it's where the first dot on our timeline got filled in

After high school , Francesca and I hadn't seen or talked to each other for years. It was during this time that the two of us went through different relationships, meaningful life experiences and important events that helped shaped who we are, and in my opinion, make us a strong couple today. Francesca studied abroad, worked for talk shows, was one of the leads in her sorority, while I got to the opportunity to work for Disney, live in Florida and California. We had experienced life, love, friendship, now it was time to experience US. The stars aligned in March of 2015 at a little dive bar called Bootleg Manning's.

Corny as it sounds, I looked across from the bar and saw a familiar face,...

but more importantly and truthfully, the most gorgeous woman in that bar, on that island and in the world.

You want more truth, I didn't maneuver my way to her like a slick character from the movies, I honestly thought she was with someone...and yes, I know I could've went up to her considering we went to High School, and at least say "hi", but I didn't...instead I did what every self respecting person does in the 21st century........I messaged her on Instagram.

We talked about where we were in life, what we've done and where we wish to be and thus the spark ignited.

Our first date was 2 parts, first a casual meet up at a bowling alley, followed by TGI Fridays and the next day, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant. Mind you, these first dates took place during the week of Christmas. We became official on January 13th, 2016.

1. We both love music, and fortunately, a lot of the same. We've seen over 20 concerts together, but it's the Piano Man, Billy Joel, that we've seen 3 times.

2. We're annual pass holders at Universal Studios in Florida.

3. We LOVE wine, oysters and "This is Us".

4. We had dinner inside the Eiffel Tower.

5. Francesca's celebrity crush? Move over Leo....Jeff Goldblum's on her mind. As for Anthony...Kate Beckinsale.

In November of 2017, Francesca had been offered the opportunity to visit Paris as part of her job overseeing a scholars program at St. John's University. When she told me, I had already been pondering the when and where of the proposal, it was swiftly decided that I would fly to Paris in the middle of her trip, surprise her and propose in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Francesca left in the middle of January with her students, and the airline had sent her baggage everywhere around the world except for Paris. It had most of her clothes, toiletries and makeup, it left Francesca disappointed and angry, and little did she know, I was 3 days away from secretly flying over and "bending the knee".

Anthony, ring in hand, took a late night flight from one continent to another and the secret mission had unraveled successfully.

We have been fortunate in our relationship to travel a lot, but nothing will top those nights in Paris, well one night certainly will...the one we share with all of you.

From the bottom of our collective hearts, we want to thank our families and friends for their support and love, we're planning a great party for all of us and we can't wait to see you there.

Love,

The Future...