Alan was living in Delaware, working ten-hour days at Vanguard (and playing vintage base ball on the side—yes, that's with two words, and yes, he insists that's historically accurate). Meanwhile, Alaina was living in Rockville, MD, balancing work and fun with friends, but was officially done with “dating app purgatory.” She was ready for something (and someone) better. Alan would regularly make the trek back to Rockville to visit his parents and brothers, but on one fateful trip, destiny (and a dating app) intervened. He matched with Alaina, whose photo radiated so much joy, and Alan was also relieved that she wasn’t another AI bot with suspiciously perfect hair. He was even more intrigued to learn she was from Alabama and lived just minutes from his family. When she came across Alan’s profile and realized he was a financial planner, she thought, “Finally, a man with a plan—and maybe a color-coded spreadsheet!” Plus, she was intrigued that he played on a vintage base ball team. Their first date was at Starbucks, set for 1:00pm. At 12:30, Alan nervously texted that he’d be late, hoping Alaina wouldn’t bail. Little did he know that Alaina did not mind the delay, as she was watching just one more episode of one of her favorite shows, “Tiny House, Big Living.” Her “no more than 30 minutes at Starbucks” rule lasted about as long as her coffee did. After a round of caffeine, they wandered off for a mile-long ice cream stroll, laughing and swapping stories. Apparently, when you meet the right person, time flies—and so does your resolve to stick to 30-minute dates. They both knew instantly that a second date was inevitable. Alan was quietly impressed when Alaina volunteered to meet in Baltimore (halfway between them). Alaina’s heart melted a little when Alan included her in the planning—especially when he mapped out the safest, most convenient parking spot. Who knew romance could be measured in Google Maps pins? Their courtship continued across state lines—think of it as a modern romance, powered by unlimited data and a mutual love of witty texts. Phone calls turned into FaceTimes, text messages multiplied, and weekend visits became the highlight of both their calendars. Soon enough, Alan and Alaina were meeting each other’s families—and, for Alan, beginning the most important campaign of all: winning over Alaina’s Boston Terrier, Bella Grace. (Spoiler: treats were involved, and Alan may have resorted to a squeaky toy or two.) Alan proposed in the early spring of 2025, and soon after, he started a new job in Rockville to be with Alaina (and Bella Grace, too). Alan and Alaina are ready to embrace the future, armed with spreadsheets, dog treats, and a mutual agreement that Bella Grace always gets the best spot on the couch. They are deeply grateful for the love of their family and friends and can’t wait to celebrate their special day with family, friends, and loved ones.