Mystic · Connecticut

Adam & Rachel

The nineteenth of December,
Two thousand twenty‑six

—days to go

Our Story
Our Story

How we got here.

A short book in nine chapters.
Mostly true, lightly embellished.

Chapter one
February 16, 2024

The first date.

Our first date ran nine hours and the better part of the width of Manhattan, though neither of us had planned for either. It began at the Up & Up (a cocktail bar Rachel had quietly loved for years and Adam had chosen by pure, undeserved luck), paused for a necessary detour to Dumpling Man (Adam did not yet understand that keeping Rachel fed is a solemn duty), and ended after two in the morning at 96 Tears, a perfectly grungy bar in Alphabet City.

When we finally stepped outside, we found a city transformed — the sky had opened into the most dazzlingly perfect snow.

Photograph forthcoming [PLACEHOLDER: A wide, cinematic image — bar interior, low light, two glasses]
Chapter two
February 17, 2024

The second date.

Reader, we did not make one another wait. Playing it cool is for chumps. Our second date was a mere sixteen hours after our first ended.

Chapter three
February 29, 2024

Mystic, what a leap.

Just two weeks in, on a day that comes around only once every four years, Rachel packed a bag, shared her location with friends, and journeyed to meet Adam in Mystic for the first time.

Photograph forthcoming [PLACEHOLDER: Mystic harbor in winter, the drawbridge — late afternoon]
Chapter four
April 5, 2024

The first real trip.

Traveling together is universally known as the ultimate relationship test. Our first out-of-town trip was south to D.C. with friends. Rachel survived a twenty-course, nine-bottles-of-sake, five-hour omakase with Adam's friends — a true feat of courage for someone who barely eats sushi.

Chapter five
May & July, 2024

Meeting the parents.

From Connecticut to Arkansas, we set forth on the great Parent Tour of 2024. No CIA spies were uncovered, no cats were milked — a true success!

Chapter six
December 2024 — February 2025

Moving in.

One lease expired, another lease broken, and multiple altercations with awful landlords later, we found a lovely apartment in Greenpoint and made it our home.

Photograph forthcoming [PLACEHOLDER: Domestic — the Greenpoint kitchen, coffee, morning light]
Chapter seven
March 2025 — January 2026

Life.

A lot of stuff happened. Fun trips, delicious meals, friend hangs, holidays and birthdays, and demanding workweeks that flew by in the blink of an eye. You know, just life.

Photograph forthcoming [PLACEHOLDER: A montage year — trips, meals, friends, holidays]
Chapter eight
February 13, 2026

The proposal.

Adam planned a surprise weekend in Newport. One week out, the hotel he'd booked caught fire and cancelled every reservation… leaving Adam with a ring, a plan, and suddenly nowhere to put either. In true resourceful Adam fashion, he pivoted, landing instead at The Vanderbilt in the world's nicest and largest suite (though it could barely hold the ring, Go Adam!).

He kept it short and sweet. There was a fireplace, a bottle of champagne, and a plate of cheese. And, because Adam is Adam, a custom Quordle: four words to solve at once. It turns out "will you marry me" might just be impossible to spell within the rules of the game, so he got as close as the letters would allow: "WILLS" "YOURS" "MARRY" "MEANT"… and trusted his charm to cover the difference. It did. Rachel said yes.

Photograph forthcoming [PLACEHOLDER: The ring, the puzzle, or both — close-up, firelight]
Chapter nine
December 19, 2026

You, here, with us.

Which brings us, inevitably and all at once, to you and this next chapter — the one we can't write by ourselves. Thank you for crossing whatever distance it takes to spend a winter weekend with us in Mystic, whether you're there with us in person or sending your love from afar. Our story gets better each day, and with each of you.

The Weekend

Two cozy winter days in a quiet historic town, with the people we love most.

A welcome gathering on Friday evening, the wedding on Saturday, and plenty of time to wander the town in between. Bring your warmest coat.

See the schedule
Illustration forthcoming [PLACEHOLDER: Mystic harbor in winter — from the invitation suite]
While You're Here

A village made for wandering.

Mystic is a small, lovely retreat. We actually love it in the winter, with fewer crowds and cozy New England charm. We've gathered some of our favorite places if you want to explore!

Things to do in Mystic
Illustration forthcoming [PLACEHOLDER: A stylized Mystic streetscape — from the invitation suite]