Met in 7th grade, dated in 8th, broke up freshman year - then Ben ran against me for class president out of spite. I won by a narrow 11 votes! We went our separate ways until March ‘93, when we reunited “as friends.” We’ve been inseparable since. We built our early life in Albany, NY, completing grad & med school & we welcomed our first son. Returning to Long Island, Ben completed his MBA & we had our second son. We have been building a beautiful life in the very town where our story began.

Aside from our wedding, the births of our sons, our own graduations, and family trips of a lifetime, our MOST favorite memory is May 2025 - a weekend where BOTH our sons graduated college. After my brain aneurysm, we weren't sure I'd be there to see them walk the stage. One took the direct route, the other a more scenic one - but both landed on the same weekend (thankfully on separate days!). It was a triumphant, full-circle moment for us all.

After clearing medical bills and debts, we’d start investments for our sons and their future kids/our grandchildren and contribute to charities.One charity near and dear to our hearts is LE&RN (Lymphatic Education & Research Network). Our niece was born with a lymphatic malformation, and she and her parents have been strong advocates for lymphatic disease research. Giving back is always part of our plan. (And maybe a tiny chocoholic splurge day, too! We would share with Jeff & Emilie 🍫)