It was the summer of 2010; we were barely 16 when we first met in Bay Ridge after we had known of each other from the neighborhood. We didn’t become serious until 2012 when we ran into each other at a teen club. The next day Albert asked me on a gym date that turned into a dinner date, and then the following day he asked me to be his girl friend... over 9 years later and I’m about to become his wife.
When I think of my favorite memory that we have together of course our engagement comes to mind, but before that would have to be the summer of 2016. Location: Marathon, Florida Keys. We didn’t have full time jobs & we were spending 3 weeks there with my parents. It must’ve been close to midnight when Albert & I were laying on the beach and a meteor shower began in the sky right before our eyes! It felt like we saw 100 shooting stars. It was truly magical.
If I had one word to describe our relationship it would be: Bestfriend.
I knew I was going to marry Albert when A) he smiled, I loveeeeeeeeee his smile. On a serious note B) I could never picture my life without him, nor did or do I want to. From day one I always knew I had the best boyfriend from the little things he does, like trying to make me laugh, always opening doors for me, having me walking on the inner side of the sidewalk, waiting until my front door shut before he drove away after dropping me off at home, to the big things like genuinely making an effort in every part of our relationship, being the truest friend to me, and loving me more than I think anyone ever could.
The first time I met my future wife was in beautiful Fort Hamilton park on Ridge Blvd, the summer of 2010. I’ll never forget the night, it was cool but not too cool and I made sure to get Michelle her favorite drink at the time which was Malibu. She showed up with one of her friends (Celine) and little did I know that day would change the course of my life forever. I still had braces then which just goes to show you how devilishly handsome she still must have thought I was. We had our first kiss that night. Little did I know she was going to be the woman I would fall in love with and one day marry.
While vacationing in St. Martin we decided to take a day trip to St. Bart's. We had to take a tiny propeller plane that fit about 6 people to the island. Additionally, to land the plane the pilot had to nose dive down the face of a cliff at “the most dangerous runway in the world.” Once we landed, we kissed the ground and ordered a bottle of rosé at the beach.
One word to describe our relationship is supercalifragilisticexpialidodcious.
I knew I was going to marry Michelle when one day we arrived at one of our favorite restaurants in Bay Ridge, Sophias. I came across the daunting task of choosing between the Chilean Sea Bass and the veal parm. I was in quite the pickle. She looked at me with those big beautiful blue eyes and said "babe, get both". From that day on I knew I would be spending the rest of my life with her. I knew I was going to marry Michelle when I saw just how much she truly loves me. From the beginning, our relationship grew into what it is today. Years of practice, patience, love and respect for one another is what made me realize I wanted to marry her and spend my entire life proving to her just how much she means to me. It’s not one occurrence, but countless moments in time: big moments, little moments, significant and insignificant times that made me positive she would be my best friend, lover, and one day wife.
I've known Michelle since 2001 when we met on the same block we grew up on. I had just moved to NYC and saw Michelle playing outside our house. We would call each other’s house to ask permission to play each day after school (this was the era people remembered phone numbers!) Michelle and I would roller blade up and down the block until the sun would go down – we never seemed to get tired. We grew to become the sisters we never had. From creating games outdoors, plotting life scenes with our barbies, doing things girls would do, Michelle soon met Albert, and he would eventually become a brother to me! The moment I realized Albert wanted to be a part of Michelle's family and friends, I knew he was the one! And lets be real, I knew Albert was going to marry Michelle when he let her borrow his car! We all know about men and their cars!
I’ve known Michelle since she started dating my brother, Albert. We met at my house on 87th street. I remember the first time Albert brought her to our house; I was in the basement with my friends, wondering who the pretty blonde was?
There was this time when Albert and Michelle first adopted their puppies Bas and Phily, they called me all giddy and excited, while I was in the cafeteria at school. They could not have been more excited to show me them. I wanted to meet the puppies before they grew too much so Michelle and Albert came to visit me at school. We snuck the two puppies into my friends dorm in a duffel bag! Although they peed all over the carpet, it was worth it. We had a great weekend and I was so appreciative of her efforts to come visit me all the way in Maryland.
Michelle has been part of my life through pretty much all of my formative years! She’s seen me graduate high school and college, seen three dogs come through our family and been through three house moves with us. She’s already part of our family- now it’s just official.
I knew Michelle was going to marry Albert when I saw how hard it was for them to be apart from each other!
I have known Michelle forever, actually since our second year of High School. Our friendship first began at fifteen years old, when a mutual friend brought her over to my house and she made us mac and cheese.
There are so many eventful times we’ve had together but we mostly spend our time together laughing at each other. Some of my favorites would have to be our Vegas trip with the Lil Wayne impersonator, our Puerto Rico trip- when you became obsessed with eating Mofongo, Maine- fighting over who had better IG captions and Miami trips on no sleep. The entire summer of 2011- we slept out almost every day & ventured out every night, twin day in high school-even though we look nothing alike, making you drive my car everywhere because I was a terrible driver and especially walking in the hallways in high school like we owned the place.
When Michelle & I were in high school, we would have sleep over’s, where we had to make curfew (which somehow we always we did) but we were back out the door as soon as our parents were sound asleep. Sorry, Moms!
I knew Michelle was going to marry Albert by the way she smiled every time she spoke of him. Sometimes our facial expressions can say more than our words can.
I’ve known Michelle for 5.5 years. We met in AC for Shawn’s 23rd birthday. I was nervous to meet her because I really liked Shawn and I wanted to make a good impression. My favorite memory with Michelle & Albert was spending the weekend together in Washington a few summers ago. We just relaxed, drank and had fun! Since the very beginning of knowing Michelle, we had a great connection that grew into a great relationship. I’ve considered Michelle my sister for a long time, we talk and we talk, go shopping, brunch & borrow each other’s clothes and shoes- everything real sisters do! I love her and truly value our relationship.
I knew Michelle was going to marry Albert when I saw how they were able to overcome and support one another through any obstacles that came their way. They love strongly & deeply, always striving to make each other happy. “Love conquers all.”
I have known Michelle for 11 years. I met Michelle my freshmen year of high school in Dyker School yard. My favorite memory with Michelle consists of the entire summer of 2011. It was the summer before we all had jobs and Michelle and I would hang out everyday- either going to our friends pool or the beach on West 33rd. We would spend our nights getting into shenanigans, wearing matching Hollister short shorts and Flavour tank tops. We would always end the night making chocolate chip cookies for whoever else was over. It was such a fun carefree time where the only thing the both of us were concerned about was getting a tan and having fun. I still think back to that summer and smile! How crazy were we!
I knew Michelle was going to marry Albert when he let her win every game of beer pong.
I’ve known Michelle since the day she was born. I am not sure where we were but she was probably a few weeks old! I have many great memories with Michelle, too many to count- we have been trekking through a cave in Panama, searched for seashells in the Carolina's with poisonous snakes and most recently have gone on a hot air balloon ride in Napa.
I’m sure not many people know that my mom and her mom were bridesmaids at each other’s weddings more than 35 years ago. Probably no coincidence!
I knew Michelle was going to marry Albert when I saw how much he made an effort to be part of the family.
I’ve known Michelle since June 2011. We met in the gym at New Utrecht High School and went on to work together at Flavour - all because of Michelle’s recommendation.
My favorite memory with Michelle has to be when we would have sleep-overs and she always baked or cooked for me; this included foods like mac and cheese, brownies and grilled chicken- LOL- what a way to charm me!
Michelle is one of the only people in my life who really knows everything about me, the good and the bad; she never judges me and my circumstances in life. She is always very understanding and supportive.
I knew Michelle was going to marry Albert when we were on a shopping trip in Pennsylvania. That had to be the first time I physically saw Michelle and Albert’s love with my own eyes. Michelle and I took the convertible to the Commons to shop and Michelle got her Blackberry/ sidekick stolen in Charlotte Russe when she was trying on sandals. She freaked, not because her phone was stolen, but because she couldn’t text Albert, so she stole mine, HAHA. Later that day Albert showed up and Michelle couldn’t let him go! It was so sweet. We actually spent the night playing games and eating brownies. Some people might have been mad that their friends boyfriend came and crashed the slumber party but it was the first time I witnessed Albert’s unconditional love for Michelle and it was so inspiring to see the kind of man he was going to be. We left even closer and that was 7 years ago. Today, he still has the same love and I am so happy I gained another friend.
I have known Albert my entire life, 21 years as of the wedding date. We met when I got home from the hospital after being born. Albert now had a brother! As we got older I remember one time when he bought a bunch of Samurai swords and we went to the backyard to chop things up in midair like Ninjas.
If I had one word to describe my friendship with Albert it would be: Childish.
I knew Albert was going to marry Michelle the first time she made us chocolate chip cookies.
I've known Albert since Michelle and him started dating which is over 7 years ago now. Im not exactly sure where we met – maybe my parents living room or a bar in Bay Ridge, oops! They were too young then to be going to bars! I remember one of the craziest times I had with Albert. At one of our house parties we sculpted an ice luge to take shots out of in our backyard.
If I had one word to describe my friendship with Albert it would be: Brother in Law.
I knew Albert was going to marry Michelle when he asked her (as you can see I'm very concrete). I was actually thinking he was going to ask her around the time it happened and sure enough he asked her to marry him.
I have known Albert since we were both little kids. We met back in Pre-K at St. Anselm’s. I don't exactly remember where and when we met but it was probably near some toys and books and desks if I had to guess. I remember a great time I had with Albert when we went to Florida for Spring Break in college and pretty much didn't sleep for five days.
If I had one word to describe my friendship with Albert it would be: Unreal.
I knew Albert was going to marry Michelle when they purchased and moved into their first home together.
I've known Al since Pre-K. We met in school. My memories revolve around our day-to -day activities. True friendships are forged in normal times. That is what makes the "crazy" times valuable. There were many, but one memorable one was when we were slick teenagers-probably 17. We thought it would be cool and cost-effective to sneak some Jack Daniels out of Albert's Dad's collection. We crushed the whole bottle, little did we know it was a limited edition. Needless to say, he was pissed.
If I had one word to describe my friendship with Albert it would be: Guacamole.
I knew Albert was going to marry Michelle when I saw the way he looked and spoke to her.
I've known Albert for years, ever since Pre-K. We have come along way since those days. One of my favorite memories with Albert was when we raced a cop on the highway – and WON!! I won’t say who was driving!
If I had one word to describe my friendship with Albert it would be: One word can’t describe all the memories we have together.
I knew Albert was going to marry Michelle when he told me he was going to ask her to be his wife. How’s that for concrete!
I have known Albert since ’98, at least. We met in St. Anselm’s grammar school. One of my lasting memories with Albert was when Albert and I won my only varsity tennis match (I was 1-0 in my three year career) and on my last serve to win the game, Albert looked into my eyes and said “ don’t f****** lose this for us” and we won!
If I had one word to describe my friendship with Albert it would be: Jubilant.
I knew Albert and Michelle we’re getting married when my sister texted me while I was in St. Louis (honestly, I had no idea until then which was probably a couple weeks after the engagement lol). Nothing like communication amongst guys!
I’ve known Albert for a while, if I had to use an exact number it would be eight million forty eight thousand and eight thousand minutes… around. We met at Saint Anselm’s Teen Club. One of the craziest moments that I have had with Albert was when Albert drove a UHAUL while Edward, Andrew and myself rode in the open back….WILD!
If I had one word to describe my friendship with Albert it would be: Especial.
I knew Albert was going to marry Michelle when we were young and he left to “breakup with her” after an argument but they came back together in his truck. Michelle was driving the truck, that's when I knew.
I have known Albert for 10 years. We met in the Fort Hamilton Field in the summer of 2009. It’s hard to put my finger on “one crazy moment with Albert.” We’ve had plenty but I feel like it’s the little and non-crazy moments that are what true friendships are about. We have those all of the time!
If I had one word to describe my friendship with Albert it would be: Booming.
I’ve known Albert and Michelle for a long time.... so let’s go back 7-8 years ago from when they just started dating through their engagement and even until this day. Albert always said confidently since day one to all of our friends and me that he was going to marry Michelle and that she would be his future wife. Fast-forward to today, I knew Albert was going to marry Michelle from the way he felt about her from the start and I watched that love grow day after day.