Clear Cut Couples: Natalie and George

Natalie and George met at Fordham University in an undergrad marketing research course during Natalie’s junior year and George’s senior year. The course was structured as a semester-long group project and on the first day of class, the professor told everyone to pick groups, but Natalie didn’t know anyone in the room & had every intention of waiting until everyone had picked their groups so the professor would assign her to one at random. However, George turned around and asked if she’d join their group.

One night out at Fordham, after a semester of extra long meetings to “work on the marketing research presentation,” Natalie tipsily asked him why he hadn’t asked her out yet — so he did! The week of, however, George got sick and made it through most of a Zpack before deciding he was too excited about the date to push it back. For their first date, George took her to Zero Otto Nove on Arthur Avenue in May 2018. They were in the restaurant for hours talking over pizza & wine and she had no idea he wasn’t feeling well, so at the end of the night after he walked her home, she was a little surprised that he didn’t make a move to kiss her! She’d only find out on their second date that he was taking extra precautions to not get her sick.

They have been together since the Summer of 2018! They’ve made so many memories over the years and can’t wait to take on more adventures in this next chapter. From elaborate cooking creations to an ever-expanding vinyl collection, backyard projects, dog parenting escapades, and cruise-ship travels, they’re so excited to see what’s next in store. One of their favorite traditions is that every Valentine’s Day, they order an obscene amount of Taco Bell, paired with a fancy bottle of wine.

George proposed Saturday, May 25th. He knew it would be difficult to get Natalie out of the house with makeup on, hair done, and nails in order without her getting suspicious. So George worked behind the scenes with a friend whose corgi happens to do brand deals with BarkBox — Natalie was under the impression that she was going to participate in the photoshoot for their newest BarkBox deliverable, and needed to be camera-ready for the play date picnic concept. George went the whole nine yards and even groomed their dog Ghost the night before. But when George & Natalie rounded the corner to the supposed meeting point, George got down on one knee instead. There was *technically* still a photoshoot that Ghost was a part of! But it was just for the newly engaged couple, #notsponsored. Their respective sets of parents were both hiding in an outlook on higher ground and erupted in cheers when Natalie said “Yes”. There were more surprises to come, and a surprise party awaiting them on the back of The Baylander Steel Beach, before eventually heading back to their apartment for a night of drinks and good company.

It was a surprise! Natalie had been provided a vague proposal timeline (Spring 2024), so she thought it was happening soon, but did not know it was happening that day. As for their wedding, they will figure it out later and are enjoying being engaged.

Photos by: @bluehausphoto