Our story began in Lakeland at Harry’s seafood bar and grill where we would meet face to face for the first time. I was in nursing school and Allan (AJ) had recently moved to the area to take a job at the city of Lakeland as a Firefighter. Bumble gets the matchmaking credit. I never dreamed I wound find my true love on a dating app. Sitting in Harry’s with A.J. our conversation flowed so effortlessly. We felt like we knew each other for years and we had so much in common. When he suggested we share shrimp and grits I knew this was my kind of guy. After dinner we didn’t want the night to end so we carried on the conversation long into the night. Right from the start we both knew there was something different about this date. From that night on we continued dating and our love began to blossom and everything started falling into place. Everything about us felt so easy and natural and I felt so happy every moment I was with him. We have truly become best friends.

In December of 2017 we were invited to a wedding in Maryland. We decided to make a trip out of it and go a couple of days early to see Washington DC. We got there early that morning and start touring the city. Since it was in December, Washington DC was freezing! My clueless self-didn't realize that A.J. had put the ring in his coat pocket. Looking back, I remember while we were walking the city how cold my hands became. I decided to warm them in his pocket and when I did he pulled away. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. We toured a bunch of museums that day and without me knowing or noticing that every metal detector stopped him since the ring was in his pocket. I can be so clueless sometimes. Later that night we walked the city and I kept asking A.J. where we were going and what we were doing. I felt like we were just walking and walking and walking. Finally, he stopped me at a bench and it had such a beautiful view of the White House. We sat there and talked about our lives together and admired the great view of the White House. Before I knew it I found A.J. down on one knee. Honestly, when he asked I can't give much detail because it all became a blur when I saw my dream guy get on one knee right before my eyes. I don't remember exactly what he said or how he brought it up but what I do remember is it was the happiest moment of my life. I finally was going to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.