Our first date was at Matcha Cafe Maiko on Colonial and Mills on September 17, 2021. We had first matched online a few weeks before, but other commitments (like friends' weddings) prevented us from meeting until then and we chatted online until the meetup. Over iced matchas we talked about our lives - jobs, families, being vegetarian, just to name a few topics. And suddenly our drinks turned into dinner at TaKo Cheena, which turned into bubble teas at Royaltea, which turned into more dates! It was a smashing success and led to further dates at the Orlando Science Center, mini-golfing, axe throwing, carving pumpkins, watching The Shining, and eating at other restaurants (with veggie options). Fast forward 2 years and we now live together in Altamonte Springs with our 2 fur babies Rupert and Emma. Ferdinand has adjusted to the life of being a cat dad. Before dating Ferdinand, Amanda did not have a passport. But since dating, one of our favorite things to do together has been travelling. We have visited Gainesville, New Hampshire, Vermont, Montreal, Savannah, Miami, St. Augustine, London, Scotland, Los Angeles, Central California, San Francisco, The Bahamas, and Atlanta. Ferdinand popped the question on September 17, 2024. Every year for our anniversary, he makes a photo book of our most interesting pictures of the year and this year the final picture was the engagement ring!