Alex and Tina first met as two-dimensional profiles on the sordid dating app Tinder. Legend has it she meant to swipe left and by some strange twist of fate accidentally swiped right on one of the lamest Tinder bios in history. In real life, Alex quickly made up for his awfully corny bio. By the previews of their first date (a movie date to see Inside Out), Tina immediately knew she'd found "the One." To be fair, it wasn't long before Alex was equally smitten and Tina, then a senior in college, had roped him into the 21st century version of carrying her books, i.e. taking her online classes for her.

Two years into their relationship, Alex decided to start his own tutoring business in Charleston, SC. Though a big move for both, it was Tina who gave Alex the confidence and support to strike out on his own in a new city, surrounded by new people.

Then they got a cat. He's super cute. See pics.

By early fall of 2018, Alex knew it was time to pop the question. In between preparing his seniors for college apps, he agonized over ring designs and color grading, cut quality and carat. When this yeoman's work was done, he pocketed the ring--too afraid to let it out of his sight--and spirited Tina to Cancun. Tina has a reputation for sniffing out surprises. Never has so guileless a creature been so sensitive to subterfuge. So, Alex concocted a story that would outwit even her, a trick within a trick, a proposal within a proposal. Yes, as lame as it sounds, he convinced Tina that he had finagled the resort into giving them a free dinner overlooking the ocean since he was "proposing." Tina, always game to squeeze a few dollars out of someone, was perfectly happy to fake a proposal for free food. At dinner, when Alex was supposed to act out his fake proposal, Tina was astonished to see him produce an actual ring. Not from the gift shop, as they had planned, but a sparkly fella waiting for her ring finger. She said "yes," and Alex said a silent thank you at finally pulling one over her.