Conner and I met on the Meet Mindful dating app. It's perhaps a lackluster "how we met" story but very much a story of our times with fun details nonetheless. I had never used a dating app before and Conner had gone in and out of using them. My mom sent me a link to the Meet Mindful app, not so subtly dropping a hint that I should maybe try to meet someone again. I was sick in bed with the stomach flu and decided to download the app. I felt incredibly nervous and not in touch with my generation when it came to communicating on the app- Conner was the first person I connected with and started talking to. I gave him my number and deleted the app! That was that for me. Not that I knew he was the one or anything, very much the opposite actually. I wasn't sure how I felt about him- I was curious with a side of caution. Conner was certain with a side of lets get this thing going.

Our love has been very intentionally built- we didn't fall into love, we rose towards it. Our relationship has had a lot of trials, our connection put to the test just 3 months into it. From that to the pandemic, to me losing my sister last year, my mom battling cancer, breaking my ankle and losing my 15 year old pug- it has not been easy at all. Conner proposed to me on my birthday March 5, 2021 just about a month after learning about my moms cancer. It was sweet, intimate and emotional- a bright spot amongst so much difficulty. He made me our favorite chocolate waffles and set us up to watch the latest episode of Wandavision. He'd gifted me a Nespresso machine and a dvd of the movie Life-size (a Lindsey Lohan and Tyra Banks classic), something he'd overheard my sister and I getting nostalgic about. We couldn't figure out a way to watch it! Alas, he made our cringey 90's childhood dreams come true. He told me he had one more gift but it was downstairs. He left me to hobble down the stairs slowly, still healing from my broken ankle- getting everything set up, he took advantage of how long it would take me to get down there. I walked into my yoga/meditation room and I could see a rolled up towel with a crescent moon waiting for me on my altar, a note was tucked just underneath. Amongst the sweet smell of pine scented candles, I sat to unfold the towel and within I found a small wooden box. I knew, Conner being the incredible Woodworker that he is, that he had made this for me. He kept looking between myself and the box in deep anticipation. He asked me to wait before opening it. He grabbed the letter and started to read to me about the meaning, the journey and the promises he has for me, for us. I opened this beautifully made box to find the ring sitting snug and patiently for me.

Conner is a crier. I am too but he leads the way- beautifully modeling how to allow emotion to come forward. He allows himself to be moved by life and he's guided me towards a softer and more open, compassionate and braver self. By loving each other we have learned to love ourselves more- to grow as individuals and as a couple simultaneously. We are sensitive people who feel proud of our ability to love, to create with our hands, to learn and grow as individuals, to heal and help others. We hold a deep intention to enjoy our lives. Between the two of us we are climbers, artists, hikers, writers, teachers, philosophers and goofs. He is soft spoken and I am loud. We are both grounded and calm humans. We love sleep and being cozy. We dream of van life all the time. We are proud of how we communicate- no topic is off the table and believe this is partly what gives our relationship so much strength and security. We hold ourselves and each other accountable to the intentions we have for our relationship and as individuals. This is how we love, this is us.