In the early months of 2024 Syd was feeling disillusioned by dating, specifically online dating. She had deleted the apps and was ready to take a break from looking for her person, but one of her best friends, Megan, encouraged her that she “can’t give up on love” and that someone out there was “desperately searching” for her. Little did they know he had voyaged all the way to Spain, but he didn’t have to go nearly that far. Megan began running Syd’s Hinge account for her, screening all potential dates for attentiveness, effort, creativity, and communication. After one set up and a couple of weeks of this experiment Megan had to keep Syd’s spirits up, reminding her “there are some great guys on this app... don’t give up!!!” and that is when Andy entered the chat. Megan began to send her screenshots of their conversation and some pictures from his profile. Sydney loved that he was traveling Europe and that he had suggested a concert for their first date had her “hook, line, and sinker”. Andy returned to the states on Wednesday, and the next day, Thursday, February 22, 2024, the two had their first date. Andy and Sydney wandered around Brighton until they found a dive bar with an open table. Over laughter and deep conversations they ate the worst pizza either of them had ever tried. The only interruptions were trips to the bathroom to gush to their friends about the incredible date they were on. Over the next few weeks, the couple eagerly awaited the next opportunity to see each other, going to concerts, movies, and museums, introducing each other to their friends and beginning to merge their lives and loves into this new relationship.
Welcome to our love story
Strong Foundation
As the weeks progressed Andy and Syd continued to dive deeper into their common ground and their differences, soaking up every moment they got to spend together. Andy began to plan a trip for the two of them to his family’s home in Wilmington, Vermont, previously owned by his Nana and Papa and then passed down to their children, it is a shared space filled with joy, laughter, endless stories, and the warmth of the Goldstiens. Friday, April 5th, the day of their trip had finally come. While he was packing Andy asked Syd to create a playlist, add five songs and share it with him, they continued the back and forth and created the soundtrack to their drive; this began a tradition the two have yet to break. As they twisted up the bends of Haskel Hill, their playlist winding to an end, Andy turned into the driveway and a house appeared through the reaching trees. Once they entered the house, dropping their bags at the top of the stairs and finding their way to the living room, Andy gave Syd a kiss as she leaned against the couch. He looked into her eyes, took her hands into his, and with an eager smile asked her to be his girlfriend. Sydney threw her arms around his neck and a muffled yes rang from his shoulder as her head nuzzled into him. The couple spent many weekends with friends and family in Vermont, feasting at Dot’s, Two Tannery, and Sticky Fingers, played games, music, and rock band, always diving by Lake Raponda, and sometimes stopping to toss rocks and watch the water ripple.
As individuals and as a couple, Andy and Sydney have always prioritized their families, so after meeting all each other’s family members, Andy began to organize a lunch to be held in Boxborough for the Fredettes and the Segers to meet each other. Andy had his first Christmas and Easter, Sydney had her first Shabbat and Passover, the two celebrated birthdays, Thanksgivings, weddings, graduations, a bar mitzvah, new additions to the family, and so much that life has to offer. Andy began a career at Instacart, and Sydney continued to design at TJX and take classes, the two felt their lives becoming something that they were building together and decided to begin looking for a home to hold this new life of theirs. Upon finding a townhouse to rent, they painted with the help of their families, added their personal touches, and began hosting their friends and family as soon as they had acquired enough chairs. Today, when you walk up the stairs, see the glow of the kitchen light and saunter by the vinyl record wall, recline on the leather rocking chair, and watch one of the two T.V.s, and see Andy sitting shoulder to shoulder with Syd while she wraps herself in a blanket.
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