Zachary & Hannah

It all began the summer of 2017…

…when Hannah spotted Zach at his brother Nick’s birthday party. Hannah was quickly enamored with his kind and genuine nature, and the two spent the night talking and playing pitch - the first of many competitive card games to come.

The next day, Zach went on a wine tour with Hannah’s friend, Brittany. Somewhere between sips, he mentioned that he thought Hannah was cute (and funny and smart and great at cards). Brittany wasted no time confirming that the feeling was mutual and handed over Hannah’s contact info, doing the kind of efficient matchmaking only a childhood best friend can pull off. Zach reached out, and soon they had their first official date: 7 a.m. at Dunkin’ Donuts. Extremely romantic in a “this is the only time we’re both free” kind of way.

While Hannah finished college and Zach settled into his career, their relationship ran on long weekends of travel between Syracuse and Villanova. The miles and goodbyes weren’t always fun, but they proved there was something worth hanging onto, even if the exact plan was still a mystery.

In fall 2018, Hannah accepted a job in Minnesota and braced for more long distance after graduation. But in a surprise plot twist, Zach received a Minnesota job offer that same fall and moved within the month. By May 2019, Hannah joined him in Minneapolis, closing the gap for good.

Fast forward to October 2024. Hannah was convinced she was spending the weekend pulling off two major family operations: helping her sister Hailey surprise their parents with a pregnancy announcement and hosting Zach’s mom for a fun birthday weekend in Pittsburgh. She had schedules, she had plans, she had absolutely no idea.

What she didn’t know was that none of these activities were happening. Everyone involved - Hailey, both families, and even Tito - was in on Zach’s plan to propose.

The pregnancy announcement made the perfect excuse to get Hannah dressed up and out the door for a photo-ready walk through Frick Park. So focused on keeping the surprise contained, she completely missed Zach’s nerves and Hailey’s oddly intense supervision of her makeup.

It wasn’t until Hannah peeked over the hill and spotted Zach’s grandmother attempting to hide in the tree line - like the world’s most wholesome undercover agent - that it finally clicked. Hannah froze, Zach dropped to one knee mid-incline, and the proposal became equal parts heartfelt and hilariously off-balance.

Of course, Hannah said yes. And then, in peak Hannah fashion, she insisted on announcing Hailey’s pregnancy anyway because she physically could not keep that secret one second longer. It will forever be one of the most joyful weekends of their lives!