Adrick messaged Alyssa on OkCupid. Six months later, Alyssa replied as if no time had passed. Adrick lovessss to rib Alyssa about it. ;)

Our first date was lighthearted. We chatted about everything under the moon - fishing (of course), our work, elk hunting in Colorado, my time in Southeast Asia, California, river camping, how I'd recently bought a green sofa and how my next big purchase would be a zero-turn mower. By the end of the night, he'd promised to take me to the Houston Rodeo in March and we were planning a day on the water. It was the second date that gave me a true glimpse of the Adrick I'd get to know and fall in love with. We met at a body of water in Woodlands. Adrick brought an inflatable kayak and explained despite running to a few stores, he couldn't find the exact pump connector. Did I want to just walk around the trail instead or would I mind holding the pump to the kayak by hand while he McGuivered a solution? Naturally I chose the latter. We paddled out on the water in a kayak we were 80% sure would stay afloat. We watched a beautiful sunset before he set up a picnic on the bank. Adrick brought out homemade poke bowls made with fish HE HAD CAUGHT AND PREPARED HIMSELF and paired it with country wine HE'D BREWED. This guy was pulling out all of the stops!

Months after my initial message to Alyssa on OKCupid. I thought our paths just weren't meant to cross. To my delight I received a message from her about 6 months later. We exchanged a few messages and decided to meet in person at a brewery. We ordered a flight and proceeded to chat about everything. When the brewery started to close, I realized we hadn't even finished our drinks and I was smitten. Over the next few dates I made sure I pulled out all the stops. Poke bowls from fish I speared offshore the previous day, watching the sunset while kayaking, and seared elk tenderloin. I'm not sure which one did it, but my money is on that tenderloin. It was some of my best work. Our first big adventure was a canoe and camping trip down the Guadalupe River with my cousin and his girlfriend. Anyone that has paddled a canoe with a significant other can attest that this is a heck of a way to stress test a relationship. We had an amazing time and I knew this was the start of something special. Fast forward a few months she suggested we move in together after my lease ended. We now have 16 chickens, 9 raised beds, a house and barn in the middle of remodel and are happier than ever.

Alyssa and Adrick went on a river camping trip on the San Jacinto River at the end of January, a week after the coldest week of the winter. After a beautiful day of paddling, Adrick and Alyssa set up their campsite. They caught some catfish for dinner, and while Alyssa was organizing the bags and tent, Adrick disappeared into the woods. To explain his absence, he made sure to grab the toilet paper in front of Alyssa. Instead he set up the most magical wonderland and twinkle lights and then took Alyssa to the spot. When he got down on one knee, Alyssa shouted "Yes! Yes! Yes!"