We're Getting Married!

Our story began in the most Gen Z way possible, on Hinge, and in the most serendipitous moment, on New Year’s Eve. While the world was busy celebrating the end of another year, we were unknowingly beginning something that would change both of our lives forever. Emily had just about reached her limit with dating apps, and when Jared's profile popped up, she was immediately intrigued… until she saw yet another “too tall” joke. Really? That’s what we’re still doing in 2023? she thought. Not to mention, she got the vibe he wasn’t exactly looking for anything serious, and Emily isn’t one to waste time when she knows what she wants. So, with a decisive swipe, she passed. But fate (and the Hinge algorithm) had other plans. Jared’s profile reappeared, maybe the timing was better, maybe she was feeling more open-minded, or maybe something in her gut told her to give it a shot. Whatever it was, she gave it a second chance. And thank God she did. Their first date was a perfect reflection of their personalities. Jared, a loyal Oklahoma City Thunder fan, planned a night out starting at Flint in Oklahoma City for dinner, somewhere nice enough to impress, casual enough to feel comfortable. Emily, being completely and unapologetically herself, ordered chicken tenders. Jared immediately gave her crap for it, cracking a joke that probably had a little too much confidence for a first date. But instead of being offended, Emily loved it. She knew right then that she’d found someone whose sense of humor could match hers, someone who could tease her, make her laugh, and still hold space for everything she had to say. After dinner, they headed to a Thunder game. As God's plan would have it, the team had an incredible lead that night, which meant Jared didn’t have to stress over every possession and could instead focus on what really mattered: Emily. (Which, if you know Jared and his Thunder devotion, you understand just how big of a deal that was.) Emily, who could talk to a brick wall if it would listen, had a captive audience. And Jared? He loved every minute of it. By the end of the night, there was no playing it cool. Emily looked him dead in the eye and said, “So when’s date two?” Because when Emily wants something, whether it’s a great table at brunch, a perfect shade of nail polish, or the love of her life, she goes after it. And in this case, what she wanted just happened to be her future husband. From that moment on, it was less about finding love and more about growing it, together. The tall jokes are still terrible (but charming), the conversations never end, and the Thunder still hold a special place in their hearts, but nothing compares to the team they’ve built with each other.