Mina and Joe found each other in August of 2020 and quickly fell for each other's shared appreciation for genuine conversation and connection. Over two weeks, they exchanged ideas, book and music interests through such profound, intense discourse that they could only communicate a few times a week. In actuality, Mina would sometimes forget to check her messages, but Joe was totally fine with this, mostly.

Each was struck by the other’s thoughtfulness and curiosity. Joe was especially impressed by Mina's familiarity with 90s grunge rock and willingness to read the often bleak and decisively unromantic, "Every Love Story is a Ghost Story,” at his suggestion. Her coinciding affinity for Korn and Lincoln Park left Joe feeling a bit nonplussed but no less intrigued and excited to meet Mina in person.

On September 21st 2020, in the midst of the covid pandemic, Joe embarked on a perilous journey from New York City to CT, fighting off masked vigilantes and the unmasked homeless, alike. He arrived at the Norwalk, CT train station looking a tad over-professorial, though Mina quickly noticed he was, indeed, his stated 6 ft and only slightly heavier than his pictures on Hinge. Joe and Mina walked on the beach, ate delicious pizza, and shared laughs about Scott Stapp hiding behind a mountain of pizza boxes. Their fondness for each other growing ever more, Joe and Mina traded weekend visits over the next 9 months, soon falling in love with 1 year old Bernedoodle, Winston, and, eventually, each other.

Their first trip together was to Puerto Rico in May of 2021. There, they would share their love for the ocean, good food, snorkeling and hiking. Joe dubiously assumed the role of trail guide, often leading them down paths diametrically opposed the intended course. Mina, for her part, was sometimes found in a multi-hour fugue state, feverishly hunting for seashells. Fortunately, they were able to laugh at each other’s peccadillos, finding adventure in wandering and meditative peace in the hunt for an ever-precious shell. Toward the end of their trip, awash on a beach in San Juan following a long day of sea turtle diving, Joe and Mina held a glance that Joe will forever remember as the moment he found his life partner.

In December 2021, Mina, Joe and Winston began their life together in Manhattan, soon becoming the talk of the Dogpark. They moved into a luxurious studio apartment, bringing in tow their rickety, wooden loft bed they were mostly confident could bear their three weights without collapsing. Having both recently graduated and started new professions, Joe and Mina indulged their life together in newfound financial freedom, dining and whining (about Manhattan prices) at various UWS establishments, taking in all they could from the city.

They came to realize their studio was ill fitted for the three of them, and so Joe, Mina, and Winston moved into a larger, possibly unaffordable apartment. Soon after, they adopted the ever-dauntless Gloria, a.k.a. Glo-glo, a.k.a. little kiki. The dog, cat relationship was one with tenuous beginnings until Winston came to Gloria’s aid in a moment of distress. And so, from trio to quad squad, the four members of the Winston household grew ever closer, and on Christmas day of 2023, surrounded by family, Joe decided to make things permanent.

As Joe and Mina write this story together, they are reminded of the imperfections abound in each of their life’s stories. They seek gratitude for these imperfections and strength from their commitment to each other as their journeys, together and apart, continue to evolve. Their wedding is not, for them, an affirmation of this commitment, but, rather, a seeking of completion; knowing their love will be imbued with the memories, support, love, and commitment from those they hold dearest. For that, they give thanks to those reading, and those no longer with us, who have taken part in their journeys toward finding and sustaining each other.

M&J

Ceremony and Reception