Laura & Daniel
Two lives intersected by chance and what blossomed was a romance which neither could have possibly imagined...
Laura and my story began in a manner which today is very common, on a dating website, but there is where any commonalities end. On January 4th Laura happened to look at my profile, and my first suspicion was that she clicked on me by accident. Laura will deny it. I still to this day think she is just being the sweet and caring person I have fallen in love with and giving me an ego boost. Reading through her profile I discovered our personal, professional, and spiritual lives had so much in common, so I took a chance which led to four hour long phone conversations and eventually the most incredible first date either of us had ever had.
We met at Laura’s Brookline apartment on January 13th, heading out to The Clayroom to paint some pottery and continue talking about what was important to both of us; our children, our families, our friends, our careers, and future goals. We headed over to Laura’s favorite restaurant, Barcelona, on Beacon Street so I could try tapas for the first time. After a nightcap which included a Starbucks run before it closed I dropped her off at her place, happy that she agreed to a second date. Since that memorable first date we have had many amazing experiences together, traveling to meet her family, bringing Liv and Sam down to Philadelphia to celebrate Izzy’s birthday, see Laura’s old stomping grounds at Drexel. We have gone through challenges which have shown each of us how we both handle adversity.
On Sunday April 7, 2019, at the very same spot where we first met, I got down on one knee and proposed to Laura. Trying to elude onlookers I nervously got out only about 10% of my well-rehearsed words. Our faith being important to us, we were headed to mass at Saint Ignatius, as I wanted to walk into the church where we were going to be married as an engaged couple.
Much to Olivia’s, Sam’s, and my delight, she said yes!
My twenties were quite unconventional, just me and my Little Pumpkin (Izzy) on my lap constantly surrounded by books. Izzy enjoyed picnics on the lush lawn of a sprawling 15 acre cottage in Pennsylvania, while Mommy caught up on reading. While I focused on school, having prioritized my child and my career, it was hard to convince my toddler that our life was actually not a fairytale. I joked with friends and family that Izzy often envisioned me running, lost in the woods of the property in a wedding gown. She hoped a Prince would find me and rescue me from piles of books to live happily after ever.
By the age of four, we now lived in Philadelphia and Izzy was certainly not shy. After years of realizing that Prince Charming was not my priority, she took it upon herself to play matchmaker at every opportunity she had. While that was certainly adorable, it did make elevator rides awkward and promoted my Amazon shopping habits in order to avoid being matched at Target or the grocery store.
Every birthday candle, every letter to Santa, every coin she tossed into a well included some variation of a wish for Mommy to find love. What my romantic Little Pumpkin failed to realize in her efforts is that Mommy’s standards for Prince Charming were pretty high. I knew he was out there and would find us one day when the time was right. Every time it came up (which was often), I enforced that we simply needed to focus on becoming the best version of ourselves, show kindness and faith, and soon enough he would find us and our little family would be complete.
“GO CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS! LIVE THE LIFE YOU'VE IMAGINED.” ~HENRY DAVID THOREAU
The years flew by; we graduated from Drexel University, moved to Miami Beach, bought a house, sold our house, moved to Boston, and started school again towards our MBA.
On New Year’s Eve 2018, my Pumpkin, made her wish for the 1,100th time. Much to our surprise, just days later, I found Dan. The peace I felt while learning about our lives grew quickly to love. I will always treasure the memories of my Pumpkin looking out for me but I am now most grateful for the future as our little family is now growing. Our love is multiplied as we were so warmly welcomed to join our lives with Dan, Liv, and Sam.
Izzy waited 12 years to complete our little family but every second was worth the wait.
The day Dan proposed, I felt the urge of realization. These memories of Izzy rushed through my head. I don’t think I let Dan finish before I blurted out “Yes, yes!” For the first time in my life, on the steps of 551 Brookline Ave, I understood, felt, and envisioned perfectly what my Pumpkin longed for... we are living a real life fairytale. We cannot wait to celebrate our love. December 7th 2019 will forever be a magical day!
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Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
28 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02467
United States
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McMullen Museum of Art
2101 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, 02135
United States
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Metropolitan Waterworks Museum
2450 Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02467
United States
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AC Hotel by Marriott Boston Cleveland Circle
395 Chestnut Hill Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02135
United States
Kathrynne, known to everyone outside of her immediate family as “KC” is Dan’s youngest sibling. Laura and KC met in June of 2018 and instantly hit it off and have since bonded on the slopes of Cranmore Mountain, beaches in Plymouth, MA, and countless kid’s birthday parties. KC is the most amazing Godmother to Dan’s son Samuel and in her spare time you can find her flying down ski slopes, running, or enjoying life with her family and friends.
Fun Fact:
A star basketball player growing up, KC traveled the country playing in All Star tournaments and earned a basketball scholarship to attend Assumption College. She has also ran 14 half marathons over the past several years!
Stephanie is Laura’s second youngest sister and the first sibling to be born in the United States. Currently an underclassman at University of California- Santa Cruz, Stephanie has been known to call Laura for some long distance advice on a myriad of topics. An avid nature lover, Stephanie has introduced many of her family and friends to her vegan lifestyle and it will be interesting to see how many of our tapas dishes and hors d'oeuvres you can tell are vegan.
Fun Fact:
Stephanie is an aspiring astrophysicist who has her sights set on a position within NASA once she completes her education.
Monica is Laura’s youngest sister and shares a very special bond due to the closeness in age with Laura’s daughter Isabel. A talented cheerleader, Monica helped her cheerleading squad win Florida states for the first time in her school’s history. You can typically find Monica enjoying time with family and friends, dancing the night away in Miami, and preparing for the next chapter in her life as a freshman at Stony Brook University in New York.
Fun Fact:
From a young age Monica has been preparing herself for a career in business and business administration. While many kids would take monetary gifts for birthdays, graduations, and allowances and spend frivolously, Monica took her money and put it all towards buying her own car when she turned driving age. Her long term future is bright!
Dan’s longest and greatest best friend, Dan’s brother has been through all the ups and downs in Dan’s life. The Godfather to Dan’s daughter Olivia, Matt is best known as a devoted Father to his children Brendan and Maeve, and Husband to his wife Allie. An avid sports, fishing, camping, and kayaking enthusiast, he has earned the moniker “Vacation Matt” with his signature tee shirt, shorts, cap, and 100 pounds of gear on his back while pulling two kayaks in the sand at all times. Fellow BC Alumnus!
Fun fact:
Even though Matt and I are accomplished athletes, winning awards and championships across different sports, neither of us can play golf to save our lives, losing out on the opportunity to win a free golf membership as the instructor asked “have you two ever played before?” Crushing.
Timmy, also affectionately known as “Chowdah” to his classmates at Villanova University in Philadelphia which apparently has only had one Bostonian…ever, has been one of Dan’s best friends for approaching two decades now. A devoted Husband to his wife Monica, and Dad to their fur babies Charlie and Sophie, you can find Timmy working on various home improvement projects in their Lakehouse in Maine, their home in Swampscott, MA, following both Villanova and Boston College sports, or travelling the world.
Fun Fact:
Both Timmy and I, for years, were tailgating at Boston College football games, literally six parking spots over from Tim’s future wife, Monica. While I had nothing to do with the two of you meeting, I am still going to say it, you’re welcome.
Kevin, long known as “Goodie” prior to earning the call sign “Yank” from his fellow pilots, and Dan met during Dan’s junior year in high school on track fields of Milton High School. From there their friendship was forged at the billiards tables, trips around Blue Hill Parkway, Boston College, the US Naval Academy, and over numerous games of Trivial Pursuit at Goodie’s parent’s home in Milton. Goodie is an outstanding F/A-18 Fighter Pilot for the United States Marines Corps, and is an even better Husband to his wife Julie.
Fun fact:
Both Kevin and I had a small role in the 1980’s movie “Witches of Eastwick” featuring Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Michele Pfeiffer, and Cher. Outrageously, neither of us won an Oscar for our parts.
Even though Chris and Dan do not share the same tenure as Dan does with the other men in the Bridal Party, Chris has again demonstrated characteristics which define this group in integrity, loyalty, confidence, and a devotion to family. A loyal boyfriend to Bella Figuereo and a former United States Marine, Chris is an avid automobile connoisseur, sports fan, and longstanding member of the Figuereo household.
Fun fact:
Chris will probably be the only combo New York Jets/New York Knicks fan in attendance for our wedding, please refrain from using the following phrases: Bill Belichick, 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, and butt fumble. Thank you.
Laura & Dan
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