Marisa & Marcus in River Vale, NJ

Marisa wasn’t looking to date when her coworker convinced her to meet Marcus on Halloween weekend in 2006. But they hit it off -- and Marcus became Marisa’s rock while her mom fought ovarian cancer. Her mom’s eventual passing brought the couple closer and they soon moved in together. The Bride Marisa Anne Mazzone, 28, a teacher The Groom Marcus Maimone, 30, an independent bread operator The Date December 31 Two years after her mom’s death, Marisa came home to find a present in the kitchen: a Precious Moments figure of a little boy proposing to a girl. When she looked up from the gift, Marcus was kneeling next to her with a ring.