Meet the Families

Our story began in New York City almost 15 years ago. Colleen is a designer who was working in publishing at the time and happened to be roommates with one of Bill’s best friends from childhood. We bonded over a love of creativity, art, travel, and romantic comedies. After a few years of building a friendship, our relationship eventually evolved into something more, and we fell in love. Our deep respect and admiration for one another has only continued to grow in the years since, through the inevitable joys and challenges that come from building a life together. From earning graduate degrees, to adjusting to new jobs and new cities, to navigating the complex emotions of loss and grief, we have continued to support and champion each other in every way.

Bill asked Colleen to be his girlfriend on their first date in New York, and he decided he would propose to her not long after. We were married in a ceremony in coastal North Carolina near Colleen’s family surrounded by loved ones. Shortly afterwards we moved to Los Angeles where we spent six years exploring the west coast, pursuing creative passions and building our careers, all while quietly crafting a life together. When the world slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic, so did we. We missed the closeness of old friends and the comfort of being near our families back east. So once again, we packed our bags—this time with our dog Brady in tow—and drove across the country, trading palm trees for a coastline that felt closer to home. It has been a joy to settle into our current home and community and fall in love with the New England area together.

Meet Colleen.

I grew up in a quiet suburb just outside Chicago, where family and close friendships were the foundation of my childhood. I have two loving parents and two younger sisters, who I am incredibly close with. Each summer, we’d pack up and head to the North Carolina coast, where my parents had built a beach house when I was young. That house has become more than just a vacation spot—it’s a sanctuary that to this day remains a cherished gathering spot for family and friends.

After studying art history in college, I moved to New York City to pursue a job in book publishing. That step into the unknown eventually opened the door to a career in graphic design and introduced me to a vibrant community of friends and connections who quickly became like family. One introduction led to another, and ultimately to Bill—my partner in every sense of the word.

As much as I love traveling and discovering new places, I’ve always been a nester at heart. Creating a home that feels warm, lived-in, and meaningful has been one of my greatest joys. Our space is filled with treasures collected from our travels and heirlooms lovingly passed down through generations—each piece telling a part of our story.

Colleen in Bill’s Words.

There is so much to love about Colleen that words won’t do her justice; you need to meet her to fully appreciate how fortunate I am to call her my wife. But I will give it a shot. She is so kind and thoughtful. She is a tireless friend, the kind who stays in touch with everyone, remembers their birthdays and calls just to see how they are doing. She is generous both with her spirit and with her time and is often the person we all turn to when we need help solving a particularly tricky problem. She is fiercely loyal, and a true partner in life. She is the person I want to celebrate all of my successes with, and the one I trust to provide comfort and perspective without judgment when life isn’t fair.

Colleen sees beauty everywhere, whether she is designing a product or a home or capturing a candid photo on a trip. She sees the beauty in the mundane and when she looks at something (or someone) she sees the potential in ways that other people can’t. She experiences life fully, whether we are wandering through a new town, enjoying a pastry from a local bakery, or setting up our home for a holiday gathering, Colleen brings enthusiasm to every single day. Put simply, she makes me aspire to be the best I can be, and for that I am eternally grateful to her and in awe of her.

our story

Meet Bill.

I grew up in southern New Hampshire with my mother, father, and younger brother. I enjoyed playing sports (basketball and baseball) and making friends in my apartment complex when I was young. I was also always very active in school. My parents divorced when I was nine years old. Even though that period was challenging for all of us, my father later remarried which helped me gain a stepmother and two stepbrothers. I feel fortunate to have grown up in a mixed family because it helped me appreciate how different and beautiful families can be. Today, we all celebrate holidays together which is really nice.

I went to college in Boston and got a degree in marketing, which I’ve pursued as a career including in my current job where I work in creative partnerships for a design company. I started studying improvisational comedy just after college and have performed it ever since in New York, Los Angeles and here in Boston. I enjoy meeting and collaborating with artists and try to bring creativity into as much of my work and life as I can. Colleen’s incredible talent in this regard is one of the things that drew me to her!

Bill in Colleen’s Words.

Bill’s humor, warmth, and generosity of spirit are what drew me to him from the start. He is exceptionally creative and dedicated, a natural improviser, and an incredibly skilled writer and communicator, with a mind that’s constantly exploring ideas and a drive to bring them to life.

That same spirit shines in how he shows up for others—with honesty, empathy, and a charismatic sense of humor that makes people feel instantly at ease. He’s deeply committed to the people in his life—the kind of brother, son, friend, and colleague who follows through, remembers the little things, and shows up in meaningful ways.

One of the things I love most is seeing him around our friends’ children; his playful, goofy nature lights them up immediately. It’s no surprise they adore him. Watching those moments only deepens my belief that he’ll be a truly incredible father one day—loving, present, and full of joy.