Natalie had moved to Charlotte in 2019. Both Ben and Natalie were on the dating app Hinge. One night, Natalie saw Ben had liked her on Hinge. Natalie was checking out his profile thinking he looked familiar and saw he went to Appalachian State University. Even though Natalie went to NC State, her best friend Addie went to Appalachian. She took a screenshot of him and texted Addie asking, "Did you know him at Appalachian? Why does he look so familiar?" The next morning, Natalie woke up to over 10+ text messages from Addie saying nothing but positive things about Ben- super nice, funny, he was like a brother to her in college, always dependable, etc. Addie told Natalie to like Ben back on Hinge, and she made Natalie promise to go on a date with him if Ben asked. 48 hours after matching together on Hinge, Ben and Natalie were on their first date at Superica in South End Charlotte and have been together since. Every year on the anniversary of their first date, they go back to Superica and order margaritas with shrimp tacos.

Ben & Natalie had dinner plans that Friday night with their friends Liz, Noah, Colby & Laura at Open Rice Metropolitan in Midtown Charlotte. They ordered a roasted duck and lots of dim sum. When they all started getting full, Noah recommended they should continue hanging out together and go to Rosie's Coffee & Wine Garden. Everyone was onboard, but Natalie was hesitant because it was super cold outside. She suggested other wine bars, but they insisted there would be fire pits at Rosie's. Little did Natalie know that Ben had been planning with their closest friends and family to propose that night at Rosie's. The others had all arrived to Rosie's while Ben & Natalie were at dinner. Santara and Emily, some of Natalie's best friends, set up flowers, candles and lanterns for Ben to propose under a pergola with a chandelier. When they were leaving dinner, Ben texted them that they were all on our way for them to hide behind the shrubs and bushes in the garden. Once they got to Rosie's, it took Natalie around 15 minutes to pick out a bottle of wine inside, while their friends from dinner had already gone outside to "find a spot for us." After Ben paid for their wine, Ben went to the bathroom really quick and Natalie stayed waiting for the bartender to open their bottle and give them their wine glasses. When the bartender brought the glasses and bottle to the counter, the bartender turned around the checkout screen to select a tip amount. While Natalie was selecting the tip amount for Ben, the bartender asked her, "Are you here for the proposal, too?" Natalie just froze. Immediately after the bartender said that, Ben came out of the bathroom. He did not know Natalie might of just found out what was happening. Ben picked up the bottle from the counter, the two went outside and 30 seconds later he was down on one knee. She obviously said yes! Then all of their closest family and friends appeared from behind the bushes and shrubs to congratulate the two! ...The bartender did end up apologizing to Ben for ruining the surprise and gave us a bottle of champagne on the house to celebrate