It had been about two weeks since I last opened Hinge and hopes of finding “the one” via a dating app in a post-pandemic world were not particularly high. *You have a New Suggested Match* the app notified me. I opened Alana’s profile and between her obvious cuteness and witty responses to the prompted questions, I thought I’d ought to see this one through…thanks Hinge! We began casually messaging through the app for a few days before Alana gave me her phone number so I could send her a video of me driving a tractor (smooth Torin). We began texting until one night I thought “perhaps we Facetime and see if we have any chemistry.” (Alana at the time was living at home in Westchester, NY so a quick drink at a bar was less feasible). I mustered up the courage for the unusual request, and Alana fortunately agreed. What I thought would be an awkward, few minute conversation, turned into hours of banter like we had known each other for years. I was also particularly impressed by how put-together Alana was for 9pm on a work night – I later learned she had been putting make-up on for our Facetimes each night. After finally meeting in-person one Sunday when Alana came to Hoboken to look for apartments, she determined I wasn’t a serial killer, and stayed with me the next weekend. I cooked her dinner, hoping my impressive cooking skills would woo her, and if that didn’t do the trick, I made chocolate chip pancakes in the morning. I must have done something right because not only did Alana come back to stay again, but she moved to Hoboken only one block away from me (Yes. I know, huge gamble). The next couple of years seemed to have flashed by as we met each other’s families, travelled, transitioned jobs (a few times…Alana), and just did life together. By the time we moved in together in December of 2022, it felt like we had already been living together. After signing our new lease Alana made it clear that if we were to take the next step I must 1) Wait until at least one year from move-in to propose (post-December 15th, 2023, got it); and 2) Ask both her Father and twin Brother, Justin, for permission. Despite very serious arguments over dirty dishes and where one’s laundry should be placed, we made it through the year, and I set my plans in motion. Those plans, however, changed just months before due to unforeseen circumstances and the canceling of our family trip. Thanks to our very supportive families, and amazing family friends, particularly Michael and Patricia Ayoub, a contingency plan was quickly pulled together. I asked Alana to marry me on December 29, 2023, without a doubt in my mind that she was “the one,” and she said YES! We are so excited to celebrate with our family and friends on September 12, 2025, and hope you will join us!