I Do!: Allison Cohen and Jonathan Mass, of Smithtown

Allison Cohen and Jonathan Mass’ story began in the most unremarkable of places: an office parking lot.

It was May 2019 when Cohen, 28, had just started her first job out of college as an inventory planner at Safavieh, a home furnishings company in Port Washington. Mass, an HR professional, had already been with the company for a year.

He was living in Plainview and she in Syosset.

“He suggested we carpool because we live so close,” said Cohen, who initially hesitated. “ I wasn’t sure if it would be awkward or what we’d even talk about.” But the conversation flowed effortlessly, and so did the connection.

The two made the commute together nearly every day. What started as convenience quickly became friendship, and by early 2020, after a few outings with friends outside of work, “Our friendship grew unexpectedly,” said Mass, 31. 

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic and remote work. The switch meant more time outdoors, with just each other. “It wasn’t typical dating, but it gave us space to really connect,” Cohen said.

From there, the couple’s bond deepened through weekend getaways, job changes and their first apartment in 2022. They adopted a hamster named Jimmy and settled into life as partners. On Aug. 18, 2023, Mass proposed at Tappen Beach in Sea Cliff, the spot where they planned to meet families for dinner. Instead, Cohen was greeted by a beachside setup — flowers, signs, a blanket and Mass on one knee.

“I was surprised by the whole setup, but I knew what was happening,” she recalled. “Luckily, I wore a good dress for the pictures.”

Their wedding was June 28, with 140 guests attending the ceremony at Soundview Caterers in Bayville.

The couple choreographed their first dance and placed “time capsules” on each reception table, with notes from guests to be opened on future anniversaries.