Menu
Once upon a time, Jillian and Francesco worked in New York City, in the same building near Time Square, for over a year without meeting…until July 23, 2015.
Everything changed!
Jillian was working late that day and Francesco went back to his office because he forgot his headphones. The first time they saw each other was in the elevator. Francesco smiled while Jillian and her co-worker talked about food.
A few minutes later, Jillian was on the subway platform waiting for the train, when Francesco showed up and said “Hey! Weren’t you the girl in the elevator talking about food?” and Jillian laughed and said, “Sounds like me!” They got on the train together and talked the during the whole ride! Jillian thought to herself “I never want to stop talking to this guy!” and asked for his business card.
Later that night, Francesco sent Jillian an email saying, “It was great to meet you” and Jillian replied. Soon their emails got very long and took hours to respond! They began to see each other and chat outside the office building more often while taking breaks or getting lunch. Francesco asked Jillian to join him and his co-workers for happy hour at a nearby restaurant on Friday July 31, 2015.
Jillian was excited!
When 4:30 came around Friday afternoon, Jillian and Francesco walked to The District Tap House on 38th street between 7th and 8th Avenue. They sat across from each other in a big horseshoe booth. Jillian wondered where Francesco’s co-workers were. Francesco said, “Don’t worry, they will join us later.”
They talked and laughed until they were not sitting across from each other anymore, they slowly moved in closer and closer until they were side by side in the middle of the booth.
This is when Jillian realized, “Oh! This is our first date!” They ordered drinks, a cucumber gimlet for Jillian, and a beer for Francesco. While looking over the menu, Jillian couldn’t decide between mac & cheese or duck fat fries, Francesco told the waitress “She’s hungry, we’ll get both!” …Jillian’s eyes got big as she looked at Francesco and thought to herself, “huh, I think I’m in love!”
As they finished eating, the waitress came by to take the empty plates away and grabbed Jillian’s drink, to which she responded “No, no, no!” took the glass, knocked it back, and returned it to the waitress’s hand “Now you can take it” Jillian said…Francesco looked at Jillian with big eyes and thought to himself “huh, I think I’m in love!”
Soon after, Francesco’s co-workers arrived, and Jillian met the whole bunch! While we talked and laughed, Francesco looked Jillian in the eye and said excitedly, “Let’s do this!” Jillian laughed saying “Do what!?” and he said, “I want us to be boyfriend and girlfriend!” Jillian said “YES! Let’s do this!”
When you know, you know.
Eight days after knowing each other, Jillian and Francesco knew they wanted to be together. All of New York City knew it by the end of the night! Francesco introduced Jillian as his girlfriend to everybody, they shared their first kiss, and danced in the streets all over town!
From that night on, Jillian and Francesco would greet each other every morning outside of their office building, meet for lunch often, and get coffee together. Before parting ways, Francesco would whisper “I adore you” in Jillian’s ear.
This went on for weeks. On September 4, 2015 Francesco had a very special date planned! The couple went to The South Street Seaport for a sunset boat tour of the Big Apple! The weather was warm and perfect. They found a bench on the top deck near the back of the boat. They sat backwards on it to better enjoy the view of the water and the city. Wine was had, music was playing, so naturally, dancing occurred!
As the sky turned orange, the boat approached the Statue of Liberty, the Alicia Keys song is playing “New York! Concrete jungle where dreams are made of”, Francesco and Jillian are holding each other when he says “I love you.” Jillian’s eyes well up with tears and a big smile as she says “I love you too!” and hugs him a little tighter than before.
Fast forward! The year is 2018!
The lovely couple Jillian and Francesco have had many
adventures together! They went to Disney World, horseback riding in Colorado, skydiving in Las Vegas, and started preparing for a summer road trip in Italy! But now, it’s Christmas time in the City! It is magical to see the twinkling lights, the window displays on 5th avenue, city dweller’s uplifted spirits, and ice skating in the park!
Francesco and Jillian are visiting his side of the family on Christmas eve, and her side of the family on Christmas day. On December 26, 2018, parents from both families, along with Jillian’s nephew, Jacob, and Francesco’s brother, Giuseppe, come together to see the tree at Rockefeller Center. This plan was made months ago and they all looked forward to it!
Everyone met at a hotel in Midtown, Manhattan so they could walk to the tree together. They passed the giant nutcracker soldiers, dodged groups of tourists, and avoided street vendors selling light up balloons and soft pretzels.
Then they see it! The tree! They get up close enough to see the oversized bulbs stringing the massive branches of this iconic New York City Christmas decoration. Jillian and Francesco take Jacob to the edge of the plaza to watch the ice skaters below. They are standing under the tree taking in all that is left of the Christmas spirit.
Then, Francesco tells Jillian “I love you”, “I love you too” she says. “You are beautiful, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you” he says getting down on one knee and holding open a box that is shining a light on the perfect ring.
Jillian is stunned. Her jaw is dropped, her brain is screaming “WEE-WOO WEE-WOO THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!” after confirming with herself that yes, this is really happening, and yes, this is real life, she says “YES! YES! YES!” to her new fiancé, Francesco!
