We're getting married!

Leading up to exactly 3pm on Thursday, November 12th, 2020, Joel was driving down Batiquitos Drive passing Aviara Golf Course in Carlsbad when he decided to check his Hinge dating app (as we do). He began what he thought would be another endless left-swiping-session when, lo and behold, his thumb quickly caught a break: a bikini-clad blonde bombshell lit up his screen! He immediately turned onto the quieter Hummingbird Road to pull over and *safely* check her out. She seemed to be everything he had ever dreamed of: a California girl with a mega-watt smile who was not only sweet, goofy, smart, and funny, but a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and whose strong core values aligned with his. On top of mentioning these core values in her profile (alongside several goofy tidbits as well), she described herself as being "compassionate with a big heart, but also a sassy lil firecracker 💥😜 probz too much for you to handle tbh;)". Well, as we all know, Joel never says no to a challenge, so it was on. The last picture of Alina's profile was of her dancing uninhibitedly in a bold red dress. He didn't normally take the time to add comments to women's profile photos but Alina was special so he knew he had to stand out somehow within Hinge's 150-character limit, so: "I like firecrackers" Send. After a difficult decade on the dating scene, Alina didn't really get excited to go on first dates anymore. But for some reason she felt differently about her date with Joel. After having the most authentic, honest, fun, intense, and open-hearted 3-hour long chat with him on Hinge about everything ranging from their Myers Briggs and love languages to passions and pets (shoutout to Takoda, Furgalicious, and Sir BaDonkaDonk!) to what they are most proud of about themselves to Joel "passing" Alina's crazy (yet effective) 3-question first date filter test (with the most PERFECT answers she had ever heard, by the way), and a FaceTime chat the next day that made her feel so very warm n' fuzzy, Alina was smitten as a kitten and genuinely couldn't wait to meet this sweet, integrous, and HOLY-MOLY HANDSOME man in person. Joel clearly felt the same way; they eagerly decided to reschedule their date for sooner than initially planned and Joel actually canceled a priorly-planned first date with another woman from the app, explaining to her that he met someone very special whom he wanted to pursue (which, for those of you who don't know, is an extremely rare thing to do in modern dating since most people play the field a bit before focusing on one person). Without even knowing that Joel did so, Alina took herself off the market shortly after as well. And off they went to meet their future husband and wife. ✨

On Sunday, November 15th, at 6pm, Alina got out of her grey Volkswagen Jetta and gracefully picked her wedgie and cracked her hip joints before spotting Joel up the block in his mustard flannel and jeans. She thought, "HUBBAHUBBA! His shoulders are so broad! 🤩" and also, "pleasepleaseplease I hope he did not just see me pick my wedgie." 🤞 "Oh wow," Joel thought as he caught Alina walking toward him with her long bouncy curls and a little light blue flower-sprinkled sundress, "I can't believe she's real!" 😍 Joel had made a reservation at a sushi restaurant called, Muse, on Del Mar Street in San Clemente, but there was a long wait for patio seating due to the pandemic. They decided to walk along the beautiful twinkle-light-lit-up street while waiting for their table. They chatted about their families and dreams and giggled while checking out cool shops, including a cool 1950's-themed candy shop with sassy vintage signs. Joel laughed his signature Pillsbury Doughboy laugh outside of the shop after Alina warned him that she was a walking hazard to his health due to her clumsiness. She even advised him to sign a liability waiver (poor guy thought she was joking). She also translated that clumsiness to her inability to use chopsticks and essentially asked him not to be embarrassed when the sushi table inevitably looked like the aftermath of a toddler's high chair feast. It was time to go back to the restaurant, so Alina grabbed Joel's big strong arm muscles and they walked back down the street. They sat down and Joel ordered them some delicious sushi rolls and sake. They continued their fun and intimate conversation and Joel was just amazed at both how beautiful Alina was and at how much she could talk. 😂 But he loved it because she was so very passionate and it felt both inspiring and easeful being with her. He could just look at her and listen to her and simply Be. And feel accepted in his Being. She'd reach for his hand across the table throughout dinner and they both felt such Warmth. The server brought their food to the table and, without missing a beat, Joel picked up a piece of sushi with his chopsticks, dipped it into Alina's soy sauce, and then placed it gently onto her plate. He did this every time Alina finished a bite. While this may seem like a small gesture to some, to Alina, it was Everything. It still brings tears to her eyes to this day. She had never been thought of, protected, and taken care of this way by a romantic partner. For the first time in a decade, she felt safe. She felt warm. She was at peace. His presence was truly healing. After dinner, they walked to the car but didn't want the night to end. They were near South Ola Vista, where Alina grew up, so she asked if Joel wanted to see her childhood neighborhood. He did, so they drove around and she showed him her old house, park, creek, rope swing, her secret clubs and shortcuts, and all of the places where joyful memories existed. She shared this special part of her with Joel that she hadn't shared in years, and it felt so natural to do so. After their drive, they parked back on Del Mar Street. Delaying an end to the night, and anxiously and excitedly awaiting the moment they both knew was coming, they put on the radio. Alina was nervous, so she did what she always did when she was nervous: talked. A lot. Joel, being the calming presence that he is, sensed it was time to make his move. In the middle of one of Alina's long-winded rambles, he gently turned her face toward his, leaned in, and swept her off her feet. Let's just say, she finally stopped talking. 😉💋 Alina went home that night giddy as ever!! 🥰 Joel texted her when he got home safely and Alina thanked him for a wonderful night and told him how she was still absolutely buzzingggg from their time together! He felt the same way. And he felt the same way in the morning when he told her he couldn't get her off his mind. And, guess what? He still hasn't been able to since. ;)