We met the way many modern couples do—on Bumble. We gave long-distance dating a shot, but the timing wasn’t quite right. Life took us in different directions... for a little while. A year and a half later, Alex happened to be in Athens for a job interview and reached out. We grabbed lunch at Gusto, caught up, and realized we were both interviewing for new roles—though mine was in his hometown of Atlanta. What were the odds? A few months later, in September 2022, I got the job at Chick-fil-A and made the move. Alex helped me relocate, and while I kept insisting to friends that “it’s nothing serious,” he officially asked me to be his girlfriend that December. (So much for that theory!) Our first trip together was to New Orleans in January, where we discovered we traveled really well together—wandering the city, soaking up the sights, and eating everything in sight. More beignets, please! That trip led to an even bigger one a few months later: Paris! It was my first time in Europe, and having a French citizen (who speaks the language!) made the experience even more special. We explored museums, picnicked in Jardin du Luxembourg, wandered charming neighborhoods like Montmartre, and visited his sweet grand-mère in Savigny-sur-Orge. Back in the States, we built our life together through concerts, hikes, and shared routines. I wasn’t always a hiker, but Alex won me over with his patience and encouragement—even when I whined, slipped, or fell (which, let’s be honest, still happens almost every hike). Somehow, I always wanted to keep hiking with him—and that’s how I knew. On March 22, 2025, we returned to hike Yonah Mountain in North Georgia—a grueling climb we’d done before (the first time, I was carrying an extra 80 pounds and nearly lost my will to live). This time, we brought along our new pup, Scout, and Alex's sister Rosie joined us too. After reaching the summit and eating our lunch, Alex asked Rosie to take some photos of us on a beautiful clearing that overlooked a North Georgia valley. When he asked her to hold Scout for a couple solo shots, I was just a bit offended—who wouldn’t want the dog in the picture?! Moments later, he got down on one knee. I was completely floored—like, truly speechless (which, if you know me, never happens). I may have even used some colorful language out of pure shock. But the answer was easy: a resounding, joyful, absolutely yes.