Our Story

How We Met

We met during our post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at the University of Virginia. Gabi had just graduated from Johns Hopkins, while Jay was making a big career shift after ten years working in IT. Because of COVID, all our classes initially were online. Gabi still remembers laughing out loud at a meme Jay shared in the class group chat and she reached out to him for coffee under the pretense of wanting to get to know her classmates (but really she just thought he was cute).

Our Journey Together

The Lawn at the University of Virginia in autumn.

Sept 2020

Our First Date

We got coffee on campus and found out we both lived in the same building. We ended up sitting on the grass and talking for hours, only cut short by Jay's group project that afternoon.

Jay and Gabi standing together under colorful winter lights.

Dec 2020

First Christmas Together

Our first Christmas together, we had only known each other for three months at the time and agreed to exchange small gifts. Gabi knew Jay was a keeper when he got her a gift referencing an inside joke to a show they had been watching, the most thoughtful gift she had ever received. We also went to multiple light shows together that year to explore Charlottesville.

Jay and Gabi hugging beside a packed orange car.

Sept 2021

Moving In Together

After 9 months, we decided to move in together! That summer, while studying for the MCAT, we visited each other in Milwaukee and NYC a few times then packed up Gabi's things and made the 13 hour drive to Milwaukee, with Talena of course.

Jay and Gabi standing in front of Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.

Nov 2022

Our First Big Trip Together

We spent a couple days in Lisbon and took a week tour all over Morocco. The tour company was a disaster but the weather was gorgeous, the food was delicious, and we had a lot of fun.

Jay and Gabi smiling together in white coats.

Jun 2023

Long Distance Dating

We lived together the first year of Jay's medical school, halfway between Midwestern (Jay's school) and Versiti (Gabi's work), but the commute was long and after Gabi was admitted to MCW we decided to live apart for the remainder of medical school. We would visit each other every weekend, taking turns on who would drive up or down. In the 3 years we lived apart, we only missed 3 weekends together.

Jay and Gabi embracing in a sunlit doorway.

June 2025

The Proposal

Months in the works, Jay created a full day of activities for Gabi, visiting fun Milwaukee memories while making many new ones. At the end of the adventure we shared our first kiss as an engaged couple.

Our Engagement Story

The Treasure Hunt

The day started with a treasure chest and note from the infamous pirate Jack Sparrow (from one of Gabi's favorite movies) to find 4 gold pieces hidden around Milwaukee. This started the adventure that led to riding duck boats like we did when Gabi first visited, the Art Museum Love sign, the Milwaukee Public Market for lunch, and a spot at the airport to dream about all our future adventures.

Four gold coins in hand, they took a little break at Gabi's apartment where Jay had a treasure chest for Gabi to open, starting the second half of the day.

Jay and Gabi kissing in front of the LOVE sculpture at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Jay and Gabi smiling together at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

The National Treasure Finale

Leaning into Gabi's other favorite movie, National Treasure, she opened the treasure chest to find a full size cutout of Nic Cage telling her to go to a National Treasure themed escape room to steal the Declaration of Independence, which would have a message on the back. After we successfully beat the escape room, Gabi followed another clue with the Declaration in hand to find a black light in a Franklin chapel, showing the message "Will you marry me?"