Mike and Ricky were introduced on December 20, 2015, at Yard House in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Their meeting was by design and partly by chance.

It was partly a setup by Ricky’s cousin Eugene’s wife, Nicole Joly. Mike became friends with Nicole after he moved to Boston and frequently visited New York City on the weekends to hang out with his close childhood friends, Lindsey Putnam and Casey White.

It was partly by chance because they both almost cancelled on Eugene and Nicole because they were recovering from the prior evening’s indulgences. Ricky had attended the annual Joly Family Christmas party. Mike had attended parties in general. Even his roommate at the time, Andy Delery, who is also their officiant, questioned how Mike had any energy to leave their couch.

It seemed that fate was on their side, or maybe it was a medium Dunks cold brew iced coffee, because both mustered the energy to stand, shower, and call an Uber to Yard House. That first encounter at Yard House seemed short in retrospect. However, they were there for hours with Eugene, Nicole, Ricky’s sisters Jacqueline Cusack and Jeanna Simeone, and Ricky’s brother-in-law, Sean Cusack. It was a fun afternoon, and both Ricky and Mike were intrigued with one another. Ricky was struck by Mike’s infectious joy and conversation. Mike thought Ricky was tall, handsome, and clearly valued family.

After a little less than 5 months of dating, on May 12, 2016, Mike unilaterally declared that Ricky was “his boyfriend” to a circle of friends on the rooftop of his apartment in Boston’s South End. Ricky quickly consented to Mike’s declaration. And, they may have declared they loved one another that evening.

From that point forward, Ricky and Mike’s love and partnership cemented itself as they discovered shared values (e.g., family, friendship, etc.), enjoyed pursuing shared interests (e.g., travel, interior design, art, entertaining, etc.), embraced one another’s individual hobbies (e.g., gardening, marathon running), and supported each other through life’s transitions (e.g., losing a parent, changing careers, etc.). It was from this place that they decided to buy a Cape Cod home together in the beautiful town of Truro, MA.

After three years of house hunting disappointments, Mike informed Ricky that they had a showing for a house he’d been watching for months. They were already in Truro, staying with their close friends, Jeremy Hobson and Ziggy Zografakis.

It was a short trip across Route 6 to the showing at Bayberry Road. But it was enough time for Ricky to share his weird dream from the prior evening about a flock of turkeys with Mike. When they pulled up to the newly built home, there was a flock of turkeys in the driveway. It was clearly a sign. It also helped that they loved that blank slate that the newly built home and barren yard offered them. They both found home, and they put in an offer.

For Ricky, a home also requires love and commitment. That is what inspired him to propose that evening, on December 7, 2019, inspired by the joy of friends, music, dance, and a lifetime with Mike where we could indulge our passions, and create our home in Truro. This time, Mike was the one who said “yes” to Ricky’s declaration.

Over their 4+ year engagement, they made it through a pandemic, became dog dads to their four-year-old King Charles Cavalier, Dolly, grew gardens from scratch, renovated and furnished houses, travelled the world, and continued to create memories with family and friends.

Mike and Ricky are elated to get married at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The location is particularly meaningful as it overlooks the Boston Harbor, which connects the two places they call home: Boston and Cape Cod.

It’s in this special space, that they are excited to celebrate their marriage and create memories with you all!