What started as a friendly crush …Bride- & Groom-to-be Erica & Adrian told us how they overcame various medical issues through support, friendship and love. Now they will honeymoon at The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort in St. Croix, www.thebuccaneer.com
First Meeting: In college. The Proposal: On his family’s property, where he set up trail cameras the night before to capture the moment. Backgrounds: She is a director of admissions. He is a financial analyst.
A Friendly Crush
What started as a friendly crush turned into a love story we never saw coming. After connecting in college and always catching each other’s eye, fate intervened when we found ourselves living just a block apart in Rochester, NY.
A casual meetup quickly turned into ringing in the new year together in 2020, completely unaware of the challenges ahead.
When COVID hit, we suddenly found ourselves quarantining in our tiny apartments. Adrian suggested moving in with his parents “for a couple of weeks,” which turned into months. I not only picked up several of his hobbies but gained a second family. When we later spent some time visiting my family on Long Island, we joked that this was all a test of our relationship — and somehow, we passed.
Challenges to Overcome. Together.
But life had more hurdles in store. In 2021, Adrian broke his femur while chopping down a tree with his dad. The tree fell on him, and without cell service, his dad had to run for help. Adrian was airlifted to the hospital for emergency surgery on his broken femur. During his recovery, I was by his side, nursing him back to health, and I’ll never forget how relieved I felt that he didn’t lose his leg. Just about a year later, I faced my own struggle when I experienced a mental health crisis. Adrian stood by me through my treatment, proving how strong our bond truly was.
Together, we’ve faced these significant challenges, not to mention the heartache of losing my grandmother. Now, we’re navigating the news of Adrian’s unexpected neurological issues and potential diagnosis. Each obstacle has deepened our connection and highlights our unwavering support for one another.
Through it all, we’ve learned to juggle—literally! We picked up juggling as a quirky COVID hobby, which now feels like a perfect metaphor for our lives. After five years of overcoming every hurdle, we’re more ready than ever to face whatever comes next. A honeymoon in St. Croix would be the perfect way to pause, breathe, and celebrate how far we’ve come together.
It’s safe to say our proposal story is one we’ll never stop sharing. Adrian proposed on December 23 on his family’s property. While the land is typically used for hunting and recreation, he cleverly turned that to his advantage. The night before, Adrian set up trail cameras to capture the big moment (check out the attached photo of him practicing his kneel!). The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as we were able to celebrate with both of our immediate families who had already planned to gather for the holiday festivities.
While our personalities and hobbies may seem opposite at first glance — Adrian enjoys sports and the outdoors, while I prefer to decorate our apartment and get my nails done — our shared values keep us deeply connected. Whether it’s our willingness to embrace each other’s interests or our commitment to standing by each other when times get tough, our relationship is anchored by mutual support and understanding.
The mental health challenges I faced were incredibly difficult — it took almost a year to feel like myself again. Throughout this journey, Adrian’s support has been constant. From taking time off work to accompany me to appointments and ensuring I received the best care, Adrian has always been by my side and continues to be as I navigate life under these circumstances.