In January 2021, a city girl and county boy’s worlds collided. Despite nearly 70 miles between them, their paths crossed through an online dating app called Hinge when Louis gave a 💜 to Alexa’s profile. Louis’s smile immediately caught Alexa’s eye. Next, she saw his profile listed that he was a Christian, a faith that has guided Alexa since she was a little girl. Usually the tallest in her class, she grew up playing basketball. Standing at 5”10 today, Alexa noticed Louis was 6”2. They talked every day through text or video calls, asking each other about their past, families and faith. They went on their first date on February 6, 2021. When their eyes first met, Louis was so excited he threw his hands up in the air in celebration. During lunch at Happy Endings Eatery, Louis felt a quick chemistry with Alexa. Their conversation was smooth and balanced. Both of them were eager to ask questions and hear each other’s stories, which fostered an even deeper connection. The pair spent part of the day playing basketball. Louis showed off with a dunk or two, and Alexa’s shooting form and fundamentals really impressed him. They spent the whole day together — even getting matching Kobe and Gigi Bryant T-shirts at the mall. Alexa, always quick with a camera, treasures the videos she got from that special day that changed everything. But their second date, Valentine’s Day, almost didn’t happen. While at the mall during their first date, Louis knew his feelings were growing quickly for Alexa. He wanted to ask her to be his valentine, but then, they passed V-Day merchandise — igniting Alexa’s infamous anti-Valentine’s Day rant. She balked at the commercialization of love and felt that it was a holiday only some got to truly celebrate. The date continued over ice cream where the conversation pivoted back to their lives, values and beliefs. That connection Louis felt earlier, felt even stronger and clearer than he could've anticipated on a first date. Despite Alexa’s grievances with Valentine’s Day, Louis put on his metaphorical Spiderman mask, locked in, and asked her to be his valentine anyway. It was an instant yes for Alexa. After their first date, she felt an electric energy she never felt before. It was God telling her Louis was the one for her. She stepped out for their first Valentine’s Day together in a red satin dress as Louis walked up to her with a dozen red roses. In his Challenger, he surprised Alexa with a bag of gifts. They gave each other cards with a poem they wrote and smiled while reading it, laughing that they had the same idea. They enjoyed the day at an art gallery, took photos by the water and made a quick stop at a cafe before going to dinner. By the end of the night, Louis knew he wanted her to be his girlfriend, and Alexa no longer hated Valentine’s Day. In fact, she now walks down aisles of V-Day products with a pep in her step and joy in her heart. Alexa and Louis became boyfriend and girlfriend on March 24, 2021. Over four and a half years, God worked on their hearts to prepare them to become one as husband and wife. In 2025, with a stunning view of the water at the circle of Maryland’s Leonardtown Wharf, Louis got down on one knee, ironically on Kobe Bryant Day, 8/24. Louis and Alexa will keep 24 in their anniversary date when they get married on October 24, 2026, in Alexa’s hometown — Las Vegas, Nevada.