Emma Scaramozzino - September 30, 2020
He Said // She Said: Josh & Hana
Photo by Mason Photography
Josh and Hana's love story gives us serious Definitely, Maybe vibes. Similarly to the movie, J & H met while working on Obama's re-election campaign in Chicago. After Josh assisted Hana in finding an apartment, they decided to go on a real date — and the rest was history!
The two have since moved to New York together and tied the knot. Read on for all of the details of the proposal, the wedding, and more.
Photo by Mason Photography
HE SAID:
How did you meet Hana?
We met on President Obama's re-election campaign in Chicago, where we were both working.
How long have you been together?
9 years.
Where was your first date?
Athenian Room. It's still our favorite restaurant in Chicago and we go whenever we are back in town.
What was your first impression of Hana?
I thought Hana was a lot cooler than me (still is).
Who said I love you first / when did you know you loved Hana?
I said it first and I knew very early on.
Tell us about the proposal(s) in your words.
We had just moved to Brooklyn and I thought I'd propose in nearby Prospect Park. I sold it to Hana as a "picnic" date. I'm not really good at planning dates, so I was uncharacteristically way over the top in my planning of this one. Even down to the purchasing of a picnic blanket. She knew the whole time what was happening I think. I hid the ring in the snacks.
What is your favorite memory from your wedding?
Being all together with family and friends was really special. So was our Ethiopian Melse the day after our wedding. I spent a lot of time practicing Eskista, the traditional Ethiopian dance. I got mixed reviews on my dance moves, but had a blast anyway.
Do you feel like Hana's niece, Lia stole your thunder a little?
Yes, she was the flower girl and then wound up singing on stage with our band. She pretty much stole the show.
Do you see children in the future / how many if so?
Yes. (Ideally) one at a time.
What is Hana’s biggest quirk?
Hana is terrified of squirrels. She will literally stop walking and turn in the other direction if she sees one approaching. So walking around New York together is always fun.
What is Hana’s best asset (take this how you choose)?
I've never met anyone so caring & kind as Hana. She is there for everyone in her life, friends, family, neighbors, strangers.
We’ve heard Hana refer to you as some pretty outrageous celebrity "look-a-likes"? Who (or whom) would play Hana in a movie?
I think Meghan Markle would need to un-retire from acting to pull off Hana.
Hana has her own adjective vocabulary, like “Pantene Pro-V” referring to something really luxurious. Do you or she have any new terms we should ALL be using?
There are way too many to mention, but when something is "voo" it either means it's not good or literally smells bad.
SHE SAID:
How did you meet Josh?
Working on Obama's 2012 Presidential reelection campaign.
How long have you been together?
9 years.
Where was your first date?
Technically canvassing for a recall election in Wisconsin, but the for real one was at Athenian Room in Chicago (best Greek food in Chicago !)
What was your first impression of Josh?
That he was very eager to help me find an apartment in Chicago, but seemed nice.
Who said I love you first / when did you know you loved Josh?
Josh said it first!
Tell us about the proposal(s) in your words.
Josh took me to Prospect Park after literally forcing me to have a picnic. He kept asking me all week if I would go on a picnic with him and I kept say no, I'm not interested in the wilderness and we don't have any blankets. Finally, he forwarded me an Amazon purchase entitled "Picnic Blanket" and claimed to have fixed the problem. I thought something was up after all of this pushy behavior, but he ended up planning this Saturday picnic where we picked up sandwiches from a cute BK spot in Prospect Heights. He was behaving incredibly odd when we arrived at the park, which happened to be the most gorgeous day in April, so everyone was out. He picked a picnic spot so remote it was literally in the dirt and sticks, far from the nice grassy areas because he knows I don't like attention. He barely ate - which was a tell sign he was nervous, and then he handed me a wrapped box and said I got you present and in it was the ring! I remember nothing of what he said, I made him redo it at least 3x :).
What is your favorite memory from your wedding?
So many! A few of the moments that were just Josh and I were nice because the day moves so fast and you're just kind of flowing through it all. Right after our ceremony they took us to a private area of the winery with snacks and champagne just for us to have a moment and that was a nice chance to just take a breath and take it all in. Watching all of our family and friends dance and be together was continuously enjoyable, both days.
Do you feel like your niece, Lia stole your thunder a little?
Haha no way, she was always the real celebrity and I so enjoyed having her around when I was getting ready.
Do you see children in the future / how many if so?
Yes, Josh says one at a time. I think two - in an ideal world we have twins and get it over with ;)
What is Josh’s biggest quirk?
His dancing is...unique, if you will.
What is Josh’s best asset (take this how you choose)?
Josh is the calmest person I know, doesn't mean he doesn't get grumpy or mad, but he is the opposite form of mellow then me.
We’ve heard you refer to Josh as some pretty outrageous celebrity "look-a-likes"? Who (or whom) would play Josh in a movie?
Keanu Reeves !!
You seem to have created your own adjective vocabulary like “Pantene Pro-V” referring to something really luxurious. Do you have any new terms we should ALL be using?
LOL. In my old age I've been staying with the oldies such as Dream, Disaster and trying to keep up with all the cool new acronyms the kids are using these days...but you never know, a new one may drop at any moment.
