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Local Love Stories: How These Hoboken + Jersey City Residents Met Their Partners
There’s plenty to love all year long in Hoboken + Jersey City. But when the icy days of February roll around, we figure it can’t hurt to put a little emphasis on something we see that warms our hearts every day: the abundance of local love. Whether you’ve spotted a waterfront engagement, seen cute couples enjoying a date night, or walked by a happy pair of residents, many of them have love stories rooted right here in Hoboken + Jersey City. And we’ll admit it… we love love! Read on for some local love stories in Hoboken and Jersey City, submitted by our readers.
Ken + Matthew: From Pilates to Proposals
Photo Credit: Sarah Lynn Mead
Ken and Matthew's love story began when they kept running into each other at local events in Hoboken. They had an instant connection but wouldn't end up going on an official date until a year later after Matthew stopped in for one of Ken's fitness classes. As things started to fall into place, their relationship grew stronger with a shared love of entrepreneurship and collaboration. Matthew and Ken are also both part of the Royal House of LaBeija, and Matthew would design Ken's outfits for balls and runways. The two also hosted and organized several fitness events together and decided to open their first business together — Ken Pilates — on Grand Street in 2023. The couple recently got engaged this year on a New Year's cruise in the Caribbean and told The Hoboken Girl "We absolutely love the community we've built, and we’re proud to add LGBTQ+ culture to Hoboken while creating safer spaces for women, queer folks, and BIPOC communities."
Read More: Valentine’s Day Events + Dinners in Hoboken and Jersey City for 2025
Kaitlyn + Johnathan: Hoboken High School Sweethearts
Photo Credit: Kaitlyn + Johnathan
Kaitlyn and Johnathan go way back (we mean waaaay back to 2012). The two locals attended Hoboken High School together (and were even prom dates). They have been inseparable ever since. After graduating in 2015, the two kept their love strong and, in true Hoboken fashion, got engaged on Pier A in 2021. Kaitlyn and Johnathan officially tied the knot in September 2024 and continue to write their love story right here in Hoboken.
Lauren + Justin: Computer Science Turned Love
Photo Credit: @laurenmelendez99
Lauren and Justin’s six-year love story began at Stevens College, where the two studied Computer Science. Funny enough, they even went to the same High School in Howell, NJ without really knowing each other. During their first week of college, they found themselves crossing paths constantly during orientation activities and ended up spending a lot of time together. After graduating in 2022, the two decided to lay down roots in Hoboken and got their first place together — back where it all began.
Heather + Mike: Santacon Mystery Neighbors
Photo Credit: @annakrasnova_photographer + @vovachiphotography
Back in 2019, Heather was having a Santacon party at her apartment when one of her friends mistakenly wandered into another Santacon party down the hall. Once everyone realized what was going on, the neighbors decided to merge parties. Enter Mike, Heather’s unknown neighbor of three years. The two exchanged information but lost touch during the chaos of COVID-19 as they both returned home to be with their families. When all settled down, they both returned to Hoboken and began hanging out again until things developed into something more. Four years later, Heather and Mike are engaged and living together in the same building they met in, with a wedding coming in January 2026. Heather told HG: “I can't wait to tell my kids that their mom was the girl next door.”
Veronica + JP: Lucky in Love
Photo Credit: Veronica + JP
Veronica + JP met at Hoboken favorite Willie McBride's on St. Patrick’s Day in 2022. A week later, they went on their first official date, where JP cooked Veronica a homemade meal at his apartment in Hoboken. The couple has been together ever since, now living together in Hoboken, and got engaged in August of 2024 with a wedding coming in 2026.
Emma + Nick: Not-so-dullboy
Photo Credit: @emmalangsner + @nickpatriarca
Emma and Nick met for a first date at dullboy in Jersey City via Hinge back in September of 2021. The two hit it off instantly and began spending lots of time together. They love to cheer on RBNY, binge reality TV with their two cats (adopted from Jersey City Cats), and have even traveled to Hawaii, England, and Guatemala together. Emma and Nick are so happy to call Jersey City their home, and can be found each September celebrating their anniversary on the patio at dullboy, humming Earth, Wind + Fire.
See More: Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in Montclair That Aren’t Dinner
Kathryn + Max: Foodie Love
Photo Credit: Kathryn Haas
Kathryn and Max met a year ago at Dear Maud in Hoboken. The fateful meeting was a rare one, seeing Max lives in Tribeca. The two spent lots of time bouncing between each other's home bases and grew their love here in Hoboken with a go-to itinerary: O’Bagel for breakfast, Jersey Mike’s for lunch, and Sirenetta for dinner. Kathryn shared with HG, “For our first date anniversary, we went back to Dear Maud, sat in the same booth, and even had the same two drinks brought to us by the same waitress. Hoboken truly holds a special place in our hearts!”
