07.18.2026

Noah and Naomi met for the first time in the backyard of Noah’s childhood home. This was just a casual hang with a big group of friends, but their mutual friend Emily had suggested they might hit it off. It was August 2017, the summer before their senior year of high school.

Noah and Naomi butted heads in conversation, but quietly, they each started to think that Emily was right. Naomi wondered who this tall guy was with dark hair and a shy smile, winning their argument more by listening than by speaking. And Naomi was exactly Noah’s type: beautiful, intelligent, and full of fire.

A month later, Noah drove to Providence for their first official date––or rather, date plus meeting the whole family. Noah opened the door to a classic Shimberg scene: Betsy preparing a lunchtime feast and Ken hamming it up with Daniel. Naomi watched Noah with a grin, earnestly hoping he would fit right in. And he did—even bringing a never-before-seen dry wit to the Shimberg kitchen table. Later, Naomi and Noah wandered through Waterfire, talking about their futures and the stars and the meaning of life in the way that only over-eager highschoolers can. At the end of the night, Noah kissed Naomi.

What began as a high school romance became a long-distance college relationship. Freshman spring, they spent hours on FaceTime, talking through papers for Naomi’s infamously difficult Intro Ethics course. For his contributions, Noah was rewarded with the permanent role of Naomi’s editor, rubber-duck, and muse.

During the pandemic, they took turns living at each other’s homes. Karin and David gained a much-appreciated moderator and hand in the kitchen. Max and Gavin were thrilled to finally have a sister: Naomi made them pretzels with melted Rolo’s and cackled along as they buried her under couch pillows. At the Shimberg house, Naomi had to drag Noah away from his hours-long chess games with Daniel.

After college, Noah left the east coast for Monterey, California for a job. He knew he would come back soon for Naomi. One morning in Monterey, Naomi turned to Noah: “Any time you ask, I’ll say yes.”

On May 11, 2024, Noah invited Naomi to join him for a picnic at Breakneck Hill, a grassy field down the road from where they first met. Noah asked, and Naomi said yes.