Our Love Story

Sean and Maria matched on the dating app Bumble on Christmas Eve 2023.  Maria's first message to Sean was to ask about clockmaking, which he had listed as one of his hobbies on his profile. They quickly hit it off, talking about anything and everything (including important dealbreakers) before meeting in person the day after Christmas. Their first date was at Brecotea in Cary. Maria ordered the pastry pictured here, and it remains one of the best she's ever tasted.

For their second date, Sean and Maria visited an escape room in Cary, where they failed to discover the secret of MacGregor Manor. Despite that, they shared lunch and a lovely first kiss.

After having their first 3 dates within a week, Sean and Maria decided to become an official couple on New Year's Day 2024. A few months later, Maria and K'Ehleyr (her standard poodle) unofficially moved in with Sean and Apollo (his golden retriever). Thankfully, K'Ehleyr and Apollo get along.

During the course of their relationship, Sean and Maria have already celebrated the weddings of his sister and multiple friends. Coincidentally, his sister was married on May the 4th despite not being a Star Wars fan. Maria is glad to be marrying into such a family because she firmly believes that Star Trek > Star Wars.

They've travelled to attend the Georgia Renaissance Festival, where they dressed up in fantasy garb. As a lover of fantasy, Sean currently runs a weekly Dungeons & Dragons campaign for Maria and a couple of their friends.

Sean and Maria also dress casually on occasion to attend events, such as a Celtic rock concert for St. Patrick's Day. They've also attended a Weird Al concert together; it's all about the Pentiums, baby.

Sean and Maria got a sheltie puppy together in February 2025 and named him Hubble to continue their trend of space-themed dog names. His birthday is Christmas Eve, exactly one year after Sean and Maria first matched on Bumble!

Sean proposed to Maria in April 2025 while they were in Washington, DC for a convention featuring the board game Blood on the Clocktower. He proposed with a ring he had custom made by a local jeweler, featuring hand-carved dragons, a fleur de lis, and a claw holding a beautiful purple heart sapphire that Maria had picked out.

Sean and Maria are excited to begin the next chapter of their lives together. They welcome you to celebrate with them in a whimsical, unique summer wedding at a French-inspired chateau!