How it all began
They met through Catholic Match. Not long after Alex sent the first message, they began talking and getting to know each other.
At the time, Alex was in graduate school studying Data Science, while Ali was living in Pennsylvania. The distance made things challenging, but they found a natural way to stay connected. Long conversations became routine, along with handwritten letters and small gifts sent across the miles. Alex once created a playful fake radio show, “104.7 The Down,” a lighthearted reference to Ali’s hometown that still makes them laugh.
Over time, what started as conversation grew into something deeper. Between laughter, shared stories, and quiet moments, they became each other’s favorite part of the day, and they have continued choosing each other ever since.
After months of phone calls, letters, and late-night conversations, they met in person on August 12, 2024. Alex had been visiting family in Florida and made a trip to Philadelphia before returning to Colorado for graduate school. The first meeting felt comfortable and natural, as if they had known each other for a while. Not long after, they spent a few days together in New York, exploring the city and enjoying being in the same place. A few days later, they traveled to Colorado together. Ali was there for her niece’s baptism, and Alex was returning to school, making the timing work out well. The trip included time with family, everyday moments, and a lot of laughter. It was also when Alex met the Bianco family for the first time.
A few months later, Ali moved to Colorado, where her brothers lived, giving them more time together and helping Alex grow closer to her family. She stayed with her brother Mike and sister Emily, and that fall became a season of simple, shared life — cooking together, spending time with family, and enjoying everyday moments. Alex also spent more time getting to know Ali’s brothers and their families through dinners, game nights, and relaxed evenings. Later that season, they traveled to Florida so Ali could meet Alex’s family. It was also a period of personal growth. Ali began her master’s program, while Alex searched for job opportunities in New York City. Much of that time was spent working side by side in coffee shops, supporting each other as they planned for the future.
The move to New York was busy for both of them. Ali was focused on finishing her master’s program while working, and Alex was starting his New York chapter living with his cousin Angel in the Bronx before later moving to Astoria, Queens. Ali also lived in the South Bronx, balancing work, graduate school, and everything that came with a demanding schedule. Despite the pace of life, they made time for each other. Sunday bakery runs after Mass, late-night city views, small speakeasies, and long walks became ways to slow down and enjoy the city together. There were challenges along the way, but they grew closer through them. After Alex found a job in finance, Ali eventually moved back to Pennsylvania to finish her master’s degree. Though saying goodbye was hard, they stayed connected by visiting each other nearly every week, talking late into the night, and making the most of their time together.
By this point, Alex knew he wanted to spend his life with Ali. Over time, they grew together through everyday life, sharing laughter, long conversations, and quiet moments. Alex became close with Ali’s family, joining dinners, holidays, and stories that made him feel at home. Ali also became an important part of Alex’s life, getting to know his friends, parents, and extended family.
They were aligned in what mattered most: their faith, their values, and their understanding that love is built through commitment and sacrifice. They both put in their best effort each day because the relationship was worth it.
When Alex looked at Ali, he knew she was the woman he wanted to marry. He began planning the next step: asking her to spend his life with him.
And the rest is history
