Mark & Mende met on January 20th, 2015 when Mark interviewed Mende for a job at a startup called Swoop. Mende took the job and they became coworkers. Almost 10 years later, they both still work for the same company together!

Not wanting to mess up their great working relationship, they never dared cross the line... until they did! On October 10th 2019 they both confessed their feelings for the other. Since Mende lived in Florida at the time and Mark in Massachusetts, they didn't go on their first date until December 15, 2019. They had brunch at Row 34 in the Seaport of Boston. Mende had oysters and Mark had eggs benedict. The date went well!

For the next 3 months they flew back and forth courting each other via a long distance relationship. And then, in mid-March 2020, the news announced that the world was about to shut down. Mark packed his bags and headed to Florida to lockdown in Naples with Mende. They spent 7 glorious weeks together enjoying Naples and cooking new recipes while the rest of the world was going crazy. At the end of the 7 weeks, Mark flew home, packed all of his things and moved to Naples to live with Mende. (At this point they had to tell their boss that they were dating! Lucky for them, he's a pretty great guy and he was so happy for them.)

After a year of house hunting, they bought a fixer-upper and spent the next 18 months gut renovating and building their dream house in Naples.

Next came the puppy! In June, 2023 they adopted the cutest mini goldendoodle that ever did exist. They named her Grace.

Last but not least, came the proposal. On February 14, 2024 Mark asked Mende to spend forever with him.

Mark & Mende are so excited to have you join in their celebration on December 15.