Clear Cut Couples: Rosa and Mike
Rosa and Mike met the old-fashioned way, at work! They started at the company within a few weeks of each other, and by some lucky twist of fate, their desks ended up side by side. They quickly became friends, sharing daily lunches with their teams and a growing list of inside jokes. For a while, that’s all it was: a solid friendship filled with easy conversation and lots of laughter.
But at some point Mike started walking her home from work (nearly every day). Her place was in the West Village, nowhere near his Midtown East apartment, so the detour definitely caught her attention. Those walks became their favorite part of the day, giving them the chance to talk about life and non-work related topics. This is when she started to think there was something more between them.
It took a little while (and a lot of encouragement!) for Mike to finally ask her on a real date, but once he did, everything just clicked. The rest, as they say, was history.
Their first official date was at a small wine bar in the West Village called Sogno Toscano. They were both a little nervous since dating someone from work felt like a bit of a gamble. They don’t remember exactly what they talked about, but the conversation flowed easily, just like it always had back at the office.
When they finished their wine, we decided to keep the night going and headed to a new pizza spot nearby called Daddies. They split a margherita pie and Rosa’s favorite lemon pasta. It was a simple night, but one that felt really special.
Now, every year on their anniversary, they go back and recreate that first date. Same spots, same order. It’s a tradition that they have come to really love.
This July is the 3 year anniversary of their first date. They have shared countless incredible memories over the years. One of the highlights of their relationship was their first trip abroad together to Italy, where they completely fell in love with Tuscany. It was their first true vacation as a couple, and it felt like the perfect start: relaxed, beautiful, and centered around one of their favorite shared passions: incredible food.
Some of their most meaningful moments have come from everyday things, like moving in together last summer and turning their apartment into a home. Decorating the space and building something that they say feels like “ours” has been one of the most rewarding parts of this chapter.
They also really love building their life as a team, not just between the two of them, but in the friendships and community they have created together. They both thrive on connection and have loved getting to know people as a couple. Some of their favorite memories have come from traveling with friends, sharing new experiences, and deepening those bonds along the way.
Mike proposed on Saturday, June 14. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on his side. It rained that morning and threw off his original plan to get her out of the apartment for their usual Saturday run. Luckily for him, she woke up craving pancakes, so it didn’t take much convincing to head out for breakfast.
They went to The Commerce Inn in the West Village with Rosa’s best friend Kelsy, completely unaware of what was happening behind the scenes. While they were out, a few of her close friends, lovingly known as "Team Flowers," were back at their apartment transforming it into the most beautiful surprise.
When they got home, she opened the door to find the entryway filled with white roses, hydrangeas, and so many other flowers. The moment she saw them, she knew exactly what was happening. Mike proposed right there in their new home, just the two of them, and it was so special and personal. She’ll always be grateful to him and to their amazing friends for creating something so thoughtful and meaningful.
Right after she said yes, Kelsy had another surprise waiting. She had several white dresses delivered so that Rosa could get dressed up for the rest of the day. They celebrated by going back to the wine bar where we had their first date, then met up with their families for what turned out to be a surprise engagement party. From morning to night, it was one of the most unforgettable days of their lives!
It was a complete surprise to Rosa. She had been part of the diamond shopping process at The Clear Cut because she was looking for a really unique antique or old mine cut stone. So she knew which diamond they had chosen, but seeing it in the setting for the first time completely took her breath away. She said, “It was more beautiful than I ever imagined. I still catch myself staring at it every day. It’s been a few weeks now, and I’m slightly embarrassed to admit how often I look at it, but it really is that special."
As for their wedding, they are still in the early stages of planning, but they are hoping for a wedding in 2026 in Tuscany. Italy holds a special place in their hearts. It was the destination of their first trip together, and as two Italian Americans, it feels like the perfect place to celebrate this next chapter.
The food, the atmosphere, the pace of life—it all feels like them! They love the idea of creating a once in a lifetime experience with their closest friends and family, where they can all slow down, celebrate, and share something new and unforgettable together. They want it to feel like a true getaway for everyone, with a wedding just naturally woven into the experience.
@weddingsbycneely