When we both stopped expecting magic, it appeared. After years of online dating, Jes hopped into her hammock on her patio and got curious about the current state of online dating Nashville. She'd taken a six-month hiatus from that world to focus on readjusting to life in America, but an internal alert she didn't know existed told her it was time. After scrolling and commenting for seemingly ages, Jes came upon a profile of a handsome fellow with an interesting comment. "I think I was born with an internal GPS, because I never get lost. That, or I'm a robot. Only one way to find out." Jes read it, thinking about her own super power, an internal clock. Deciding to comment on the impressiveness of being a robot, she giggled when he responded, "Google has become very advanced these days." And then the texts began, one night continuing until 3 AM. Then the phone calls that lasted 5 hours at a time. Jes was so intrigued by Zack, she even broke her new three-days-texting-and-must-meet rule because of the busyness of his schedule. It was hard not to. Not only had they grown up in the same area, they were both excelled academically, both studied theology and biblical languages, both interested in ministry, both dealt with tragedy, both focused on healing, both interested in family and how a new chapter could look in their lives. Their biggest disagreements were Apple vs PC and what constitutes good food (farm-to-table vs Cracker Barrel), debates which may never find clear alignment, but they work through it. Jes continues to be amazed that she literally searched the world looking for a great romance with the European man of her dreams and did her absolute best not to return to America. But her true knight in shining armor happened to have grown up 20 minutes away from her, and appeared to fit no category of her interest. God does love a good laugh. Zack, meanwhile, had just returned from his Army National Guard two-week annual training, moved into a new home in Columbia, TN, and was considering a new job offer and career change when he saw the message from Jes. He, too, had decided he was content in single life, but wanted to remain open to possibilities. Yet, he was not very active on the apps. In fact, had it not been for Jes messaging him, they never would have met. (Jes was outside his age requirements.) Finally, after weeks of texting and phone calls, Zack invited Jes to dinner at Giovanni's in Nashville. She was nervous and Zack was late, but he charmed the socks off of her. When he arrived and they were seated, she felt calm. And amazed at how smoking hot he was. The meal lasted three hours and they each kept ordering new courses to extend the evening. Jes introduced Zack to limoncello (Giovanni's has the BEST homemade liqueur. Life-changing.) They probably could have talked for longer, found more ways to extend the evening, but Zack needed to get back to his daughter. It was the perfect first date. Not only did they not run out of things to talk about (as she'd feared), but Zack kept managing to surprise her with his wisdom and humor. It was a lovely, refined, dream of a date. Only later did Jes discover Zack's usual go-to for first dates was Mexican and he was particularly craving good Italian food, but it worked out in the end.

On a random Tuesday in early February, the waiting ended. And, it wasn't just the waiting of if we were going to get married ended. It was that a new beginning of a new job, a new home, a new life actually became a reality. Jes had been wondering for months when Zack would propose. All she wanted was to be surprised, but the cute opportunities of holiday times had faded. When would it be? Valentine's Day? St. Patrick's Day? Groundhog's Day? Meanwhile, lots of questions had been in the air for a while. Would a job in Chattanooga actually come to be? Would there be good housing options? How would this all work out? On Tuesday morning, Jes woke up to texts from Zack. Finally, he had heard about the job. It had come through! He'd be starting work at the end of February. Also, they'd decided to move forward on a housing opportunity that was too good to pass up. Then, Zack went to check out a new vehicle and drove off in a new truck a few hours later. Jes texted a friend and said, "Man! Everything's coming together today! The only thing left is to get engaged. But surely not tonight... We have dinner with his cousin and her fiancé." After all, who proposes after a dinner with family? That night, Zack picked up Jes and they drove to Nashville to a beloved taco spot. Dinner was lovely. The night felt like it ended a little early, as Zack's cousin needed to return home to study. Zack and Jes walked back to the vehicle, Jes adjusting to the idea of her significant other owning a truck, when Zack suggested they go for a little drive. Zack took her to Centennial Park, reminding her of their third date when the two became an official couple. They then walked in front of the Parthenon and Zack proposed. Jes, always eloquent, said "Duh!" Unknown to Jes, Zack's cousin, her fiancé and Zack's sister were waiting in the pillars, filming. Another surprised ensued when Jes discovered friends waiting for her at a nearby wine bar ready to celebrate. That same friend she'd texted about everything coming together except the engagement happened to be planning the engagement festivities for that very night. Jes loved the ring. It was perfect. But even more perfect was the thoughtfulness involved. Inside the ring, Zack had engraved a quote from the last chapter of her favorite book, Jane Eyre, which says, "Reader, I married him." *Swoon* In the end, Jes learned that Zack had only set out to propose that night. Everything else had miraculously fallen into place. It was sweet, lovely and Jes was surprised, the biggest thing she wanted. Their only regret was not buying a lottery ticket that night after all the other good things that happened that one night.