Love Isn’t Cancelled

LAUREN & DAVE

How did you meet? We met online. We were both a little hesitant to try online dating, but hey, it worked out!

What drew you to each other? From the first date everything was just easy, and it felt like we had known each other forever. We just fit together perfectly.

How did going through a pandemic together impact your relationship?

We moved in together in February 2020 right before the shutdown. The biggest thing that came out of the pandemic, besides a successful relationship, is that Lauren adjusted to life with a dog and quickly became a full-on dog mom.

How did the proposal unfold? Lauren thought she was just going to dinner at Bar Bantam with some friends. While sitting downstairs waiting for dinner, she started to notice her family coming down the escalator one by one, with flowers, then came Dave’s family and finally Dave. After the first few people came down, she was sobbing uncontrollably. Needless to say, it was a “yes!”

Tell us about your ring! It’s gorgeous! It’s an oval diamond with matching smaller oval diamonds on each side. Dave had our birthstones, garnet and sapphire, added inside the band as a hidden personalization.

Any wedding plans yet? We originally tried to plan for early summer, but with the pandemic, we pushed it to late summer and we’re hopeful that this will give us time to get a little further along with the vaccine rollout. We’re planning on an evening wedding at the top of The Metropolitan. The 360-degree views of the city will be beautiful, especially at sunset. ♥

THE PANDEMIC TESTED OUR RELATIONSHIPS IN THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY WAYS, BUT CUSTOMERS SHARED STORIES OF TRIUMPH AND DEEPENING CONNECTION.

PHOTO BY AMY MOORE

ALEXIS & JUSTEN

How did you meet?

Justen and I worked together at a television station in Illinois. I was on air. Justen was a producer and weather anchor. We anchored weekend, evening newscasts together.

What drew you to each

other? Justen says I always had a calm demeanor. I was attracted to his kind soul, and of course, he was easy on the eyes. But he looked past my flaws and saw me for me and loved me anyway. We also had so much in common. We liked the same sports teams and had similar taste in music. We also had the same core values. Justen has always been a supporter of mine, and I of him. Just knowing you could feel safe and secure with someone was comforting. Plus, not going to lie I (Justen) couldn’t stop looking at her as she passed my desk. I remember the first time I took notice she was wearing gray pants and a red sweater. She was so unique and gorgeous looking.

How did going through a pandemic together impact your relationship? It made us stronger. While I was still working, Justen faced a lot of challenges with his business. He’s a personal trainer and nutritionist and runs his own health-and-wellness business and gym. When restrictions were put in place, many clients took a break. On top of that, we had to parent three children who now had school at home as schools and extracurricular activities changed. We had to figure out a way to be there for each other, support one another emotionally and mentally, while at the same time being honest and strong for our children. One thing we both committed to was each other and our children. We took trips and adventures along with daily walks/ hikes with the kids that has now become a standard, and it is still going to this day. We haven’t missed an outdoor session since March 16th of last year! How did you celebrate your pandemic anniversary? Our 10-year anniversary was in July, and at that point it seemed like we were on our way to flattening the curve. We were able to celebrate as a family in the Thousand Islands. We stayed along Alexandria Bay and toured two castles and enjoyed a boat tour. On the

night of our first stay, Justen proposed to me again on the balcony, overlooking the bay. We had wine and our favorite pie.

Was your anniversary ring a surprise? Justen and I talked about upgrading my ring for our 10th wedding anniversary. Justen knew my style and the look I wanted. Justen says he wanted to provide me with the ring I deserved, because I have always been there for him over the years. I did not know what I’d end up with and he blew me away. He found diamonds that matched my original wedding band perfectly. The entire ring was beautiful. I love it. I can’t stop staring at it. ♥

BRITTANY & ANTHONY

How did you meet? We originally met through a church event, then a year later we ran into each other again at the gym and started talking!

What drew you to each other? Brittany: His jawline! No but really he just seemed like a genuine soul, one that was caring and trustworthy. Anthony: Her smile and bubbly personality.

How did going through a pandemic together impact your relationship? It definitely brought us closer together. We were forced to stay home and find the light in a new and scary situation. We made new memories at home, did at-home projects and planned our wedding. We became so used to being by each other’s side every single day, now we look forward to coming home to each other that much more!

How did the proposal unfold? He brought me back to where we took our first photo together, the overlook of Canandaigua Lake in Naples. As we made the drive up there he kept replaying our song and was shaky and on edge the whole ride up. I knew what was coming!

Tell us about your ring! He picked it out from Mann’s! I couldn’t be more in love with my halo, oval-cut diamond. He took such time and care picking out the perfect one with the most sparkle.

Tell us about your wedding! How did your plans change because of COVID?

We originally had rented out a party house that overlooked the bay on the water. Due to COVID, the parks in Rochester had shut down. We got creative and rented out a lake house on Seneca Lake and had our family and a few close friends there. It was actually exactly what we had imagined for our day. ♥

ANGELA & MIKE

How did you meet? We met on Match.com. However, we knew of each other and had several mutual friends and acquaintances.

What drew you to each other? God. Our connection was immediate. Some call it “je ne sais quoi.” That said, we managed to mess it up a few times before we realized we were meant to be together, and we learned many valuable lessons along the way.

How did going through a pandemic

together impact your relationship? We got engaged in the middle of 2020 and the pandemic. In a way it shut out a lot of the noise and distractions of everyday life and forced us to focus on what’s most important. We started exploring a new place every weekend and hiked some of the most beautiful places in upstate New York. The pandemic truly brought us closer than ever before.

How did the proposal unfold? The original plan (for Punta Cana) did not unfold, and the second plan (for Siesta Key) also did not unfold. But the way it finally did unfold was on the beach, as the sun set, with Bob Marley playing in the background and it was perfect in every way. It was a complete surprise, and a moment we will never forget.

Tell us about your ring! It is what oval dreams are made of! Mann’s truly went above and beyond to make both of us ecstatic. This super special time in our lives and symbol of our love was made even more wonderful because of their care and willingness to move mountains for us. There is no doubt that we will be customers for life.

Any wedding plans yet? Yes. We will be married at Geneva on the Lake on Sept. 4, 2021 with close family and friends who have become family.

Do you have any funny stories you’d like to share? Within the first few weeks of dating we discovered that we had our dear friend and tailor, Fatima Bayram of Thimble Tailor, in common. The first time we went to Thimble together Fatima’s reaction was priceless; she immediately screamed, “You’re perfect for each other!” When we asked how she knew that, she said it was because we like our clothing tailored the exact same way… neither one of us is satisfied until every inch is perfect, and thankfully Fatima has the patience of a saint. It was funny, but it’s true. We get each other in every way, even in the little details. ♥