07.18.2026

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

Noah guessed that Emily might be right. Naomi was less sure. But when they got into conversation for the first time, Naomi was taken aback. She wondered who this tall guy was with dark hair and a shy smile, saying more by listening than by speaking. Noah noticed her bright and earnest blue eyes—and realized he'd been staring.

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 smile, and tried not to laugh at the slight panic in his eyes. Later, Naomi and Noah wandered the streets of Providence, talking about their futures and the stars and the meaning of life in the way that only over-eager highschoolers can.

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, especially one who held her own both at the Weinberg dinner table debate scene and during ping-pong afterwards. At the Shimberg house, Naomi had to drag Noah away from his hours-long chess games with Daniel. Noah won over Betsy’s heart as she overheard his long conversations with Nana, Pa, and Pop.

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 meadow down the road from where they first met. Noah asked, and Naomi said yes.