Dearest Gentle Reader,


It has come to this author’s most trusted attention that a most unanticipated match has taken Society by storm. Whispers swirl through drawing rooms and garden parties alike: two souls—who by fortune, fate, or perhaps folly—were never meant to meet, have not only met, but fallen most ardently in love.


Now, on the eve of their proposal’s anniversary, they have declared their intention to wed, sealing their hearts with vows as timeless as the ton’s fascination with a good scandal.


And what a scandal it is.


The bride, Miss Marissa Kay Chynoweth, hails from the far-off and sun-drenched land of Texas. A woman of uncommon wit, with a laugh that could bring even the most cantankerous dowager to tears of mirth, and beauty so radiant it might cause fainting in weaker constitutions. Her spirit longs for distant horizons, yet it is her loved ones who keep her grounded. She possesses a singular gift for finding joy and sharing it freely—alongside a formidable talent for Southern cooking.


Her intended, the estimable Mr. Ryan Maxwell Herzberg, is a suitor of steadfast heart and noble devotion. A gentleman by nature, he is loyal, industrious, and beloved by all who know him. Though he is often caught delivering a pun worthy only of the most paternal circles, his humor never fails to charm. His love runs deep and true, and his presence is as steady as the North Star.

And how did such a felicitous match come to be, one might wonder?

Why, through the most curious and modern of mechanisms—a digital ball of sorts, known amongst common circles as Tinder. There, amidst countless suitors and scoundrels, Miss Chynoweth came upon a profile bearing a most disarming smile—one that would change the course of her life. With one daring motion (a rightward swipe, if you will), she chose him. And in doing so, chose joy, adventure, and the great and enduring folly that is love.

The two share passions as sweet as a summer courtship: tea brewed to perfection, games played with mischief and mirth, puzzles that challenge the mind, and a love for their feline companions, who reign over their household with regal authority. Together, they delight in restoring their shared abode—turning each brick and board into a testament of their growing life together.


The moment that sealed their fate arrived on the 10th day of October, in the year 2024. Beneath a canopy of crimson and gold leaves, after a hike of precisely three miles, Mr. Herzberg, having first sought the blessing of the bride’s father (a gesture of the highest honour), knelt upon the forest floor. With trembling voice and the sincerest declarations of love, he offered his heart. The bride, overcome with joy, wept alongside him—and accepted.


Now, with tears dried and spirits high, they prepare to join hands in matrimony.


Should you wish to witness this most romantic of unions—and perhaps take a turn about the dance floor—we invite you to read on.


With affection (and a hint of mischief),
The Editors of the Social Season