Meet the Paulis family from Long Island, NY

They’ve lived in New York their whole lives and they’ve never been to Howe Caverns. They remember seeing commercials when they were kids but just never had the opportunity to visit. Today was their day! Miranda and Joe met in elementary school and attended all of their primary school education together. After high school, they both went their separate ways. In 2004, on the day of Joe’s father’s funeral, the two ran into each other at a Starbucks. They talked for a bit and then Joe asked her out to dinner. The couple joked, “That’s what happens in Sayville. You’re born and raised there and then you meet someone from there. You marry them and then you build a life with them in the house that you were raised in.” Which is exactly what the couple is doing. They are currently raising a fourth generation in Miranda’s family home which was purchased by her grandfather. Joe is a Sandy Hook Harbor Pilot and Miranda is a physical education teacher at their local school. Their two boys JP and Mason are their best adventure yet. Joe’s schedule can be very chaotic. He works 30 days on and then two weeks off. Joe said, “Miranda is the glue that holds us all together. She is the scheduler. She is the constant.” They call him, “the disruptor.” The way they navigate his complicated schedule is they plan their lives “as if the machine will function without him.” For them it works out perfectly. Joe‘s favorite thing about Miranda is that she has a fantastic laugh and great sense of humor. They always have a good time together and he loves being married to his best friend. Miranda’s favorite thing about Joe is that he’s the free spirit. “Opposites attract and for us it’s a good fit. We balance each other.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present. Live in the moment.” Thank you so much for finally visiting and thank you for letting Long Island know that we are the most awesome hole in the ground in the Great Northeast!