Mia and James met at St. Bonaventure University (SBU) in April 2018, a few weeks before their college graduation. Mia was celebrating her last hoorah with her Army ROTC friends, who just so happened to be mutual friends with James. While they were attending the same party, James approached Mia and shouted, "BUFFALO!" Confused with James's behavior, she assumed he was referring to the Buffalo Bills. As a born and raised Patriots fan, Mia shook her head and yelled back, "No!" Mia didnt realize that James was attempting to flirt with her, as "Buffalo" is lingo which intends to invite someone to participate in a game with them. By chance the next day, Mia and James ended up at a small gathering. They laughed about the Buffalo misunderstanding, clicked immediately, and the rest is history!

Over the next two and half years, Mia and James continued their long distance relationship. Separated due to their pursuance of their respective five-year doctoral programs, their love endured frequent Skype calls and plane trips. The couple shares a passion for traveling, hiking, and exploring nature. On November 27th, 2020, James got down on one knee and asked Mia to marry him on the edge of the Shawgunk Mountains. Of course Mia answered, "Yes!!" from the mountaintops.

James and Mia’s wedding day was the perfect culmination of their journey as a couple. After their church ceremony, the reception was held at the elegant Starting Gate and Great Horse in Massachusetts. And what a day it was! The weather was perfect for Labor Day Weekend and the views were stunning! Congrats to the happy couple!