In January 2020, just before the world shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marcia and Eric met the way many love stories begin today — online.

What began as a simple swipe on the Hinge dating app quickly turned into a first date neither of them wanted to end. They met for brunch on a Sunday, at BK9 Restaurant in Brooklyn at around 2:00 p.m., but saying goodbye at the end of the meal felt premature. Eric offered to walk Marcia back to her car, and a casual stop into an apparel store on the way became Marcia’s first quiet test for Eric — and an unexpected moment of discovery. He was patient, attentive, and genuinely engaged, offering opinions, picking out sizes, and making Marcia feel truly seen.

After leaving the store, it was apparent that they both still weren’t ready for the date to end. Dinner and drinks followed at iPic Theaters — a dine-in movie theater in Manhattan, and even after the movie ended close to midnight, neither was ready to part ways. Eric then drove Marcia back to her car and followed behind her to her Brooklyn apartment. They sat in the car talking until nearly 4:00 a.m., unaware they were already writing the first chapter of something extraordinary.

As the world slowed during the pandemic in the months that followed, their relationship only deepened. What began as an instant spark grew into a steady partnership rooted in trust, laughter, and shared purpose. Together, they navigated life’s changes with ease, finding comfort and joy in building something meaningful side by side.

In 2022, they moved into their first home together — a reflection of the life they were intentionally creating. In 2024, they embraced another leap of faith, relocating to Georgia and opening a new chapter. By 2025, their journey led to an engagement and the planning of their dream wedding in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While this marks a second marriage for both, it is the chapter that feels most aligned — a love found unexpectedly, chosen intentionally, and grounded in gratitude, joy, and certainty.