There is plenty of love in Port Richmond.
The Port Richmond Neighborhood Action recently held its Love Story Contest, where neighbors submitted their personal love stories. One lucky winner was chosen and will receive a free dinner at LaRoma Philly on Valentine's Day, as well as a gift card courtesy of the Port Richmond Neighborhood Action.
This year's winner is Marianne and Mike Texeira, and this is their story:
My husband and I technically met in high school (Central 269!), but for years we barely spoke. We were both painfully shy and ran in different circles until our senior year, when our friend groups finally overlapped. Even then, once graduation came, we went our separate ways, thinking that chapter had closed.
Five years later, fate had other plans. We reconnected at a party and ended up staying up all night talking and laughing like no time had passed at all. We caught up on life, what we had been doing for those 5 years since we’ve seen each other, and what our hobbies now included. Before the night ended, we exchanged numbers, which are still saved in our phones as “Mare Bear” and “Mike & Ike.” A few days later, Mike asked me out to dinner. I made it very clear I wasn’t looking for a relationship… but I went anyway. One dinner turned into many, and, a week later, we were officially ‘us.’
Five years after that, Mike proposed at sunrise on a quiet beach in Clearwater, Florida, one of those moments that feels frozen in time. A fun fact is that Mike had planned to propose at sunset, 5 years to the day that we reconnected at that party… but Florida weather had other plans, and it torrentially down poured that night. Being quick on his feet, Mike changed plans (all the while I was completely oblivious) and asked me to please go see the sunrise with him the next morning. He found a perfect spot on giant rocks looking over the ocean and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. In April 2023, we said “I do” on the beach at Disney’s Yacht Club, followed by a reception at Ariel’s, complete with a surprise visit from Mickey and Minnie (because magic is kind of our thing).
This April, we’ll celebrate three years of marriage, and this August, we’ll celebrate 11 years together. We now share our life with one very loved dog, Charlie, and two cats who rule the house. Every year, we celebrate our anniversary by taking Charlie to the beach, as the beach holds so many of our favorite memories.
From shy high school classmates to forever — proof that love always finds its way, right on time.
