It was a cloudy San Francisco evening. Jessica had just finished a challenging day in a very unique role as a tech employee in Silicon Valley. With the encouragement of her mom, LaRayne (yes, that's spelled correctly), she downloaded Hinge, a revolutionary app that's "designed to be deleted" to look for love. Knowing that she was a hot commodity, she very cautiously swiped right on the few boys that met her very high standards. At the same time, James, a rolling stone with no roots (except those that are deeply planted in Chicago) had just arrived in the Golden Gate City. Looking for love, he too grabbed his iPhone and swiped right, where he was quickly enthralled by a politically moderate Christian who didn't smoke. "A rarity in this city" he thought. And, there it was, a match! Quickly the two began to chat. Jessica said she loved The Daily podcast. James said he wished he could quit his job and do day trading on Robinhood. They agreed to meet at Ocean Beach on March 4, 2021.

James arrived first. Slightly nervous, with gluten-free beer and chips. Jessica came next, in a green jacket with voluminous hair and a cute smile. They sat together on a blanket and chatted flights, religion, and more. However, the date only lasted 1 hour because our Midwestern protagonist did not realize that beaches in San Francisco got wickedly cold when the sun set. So, they departed and went their separate ways. After letting his hands thaw, James sent Jessica a text saying: "Hey Jess - I raced home to de thaw (if that’s a word) my hands to text you and say that I had a great time tonight!" From there more dates passed. They discussed prison reform in Alabama, Myers-Briggs tests, and how Jess hates dogs (a red flag that James was willing to overlook). Before long a relationship was budding, but the clock was ticking. James was leaving San Francisco in a few short weeks.

But, as fate would have it, Jessica had an engagement party in Michigan. What if they went together, the two star crossed lovers pondered. Against better judgement, they agreed that sounded great. So, our two heroes suddenly found themselves on a weeklong road trip through the Midwest, a significantly longer date than their previous dinners. Contrary to James' typical curmudgeon ways, the week went well. Very well. Like "let's keep dating and get married" well. Was this the start of something new? Maybe. A few weeks later they met in Denver. Then Mexico City. Then the Greek Islands. Then Buenos Aires, Patagonia, and Montevideo. What started as a desperate attempt to get airline status had quickly evolved into a worldwide love affair. They rang in their first new year together. Got to know each other's families. They moved to LA, then Arkansas, then New York (gross!). Along the way they talked futures, goals, and aspirations. They did not get a dog though, because Jessica hates dogs. Before long they decided they would do the most absurd, craziest thing ever -- take a trip with both sets of parents to Paris. The logic being, if they could do that, they could do anything. To the surprise of onlookers everywhere, it went perfectly, aside from a pickpocket. From then on, it became difficult to not imagine a life of globetrotting with kids and grandparents in tow. A quick stint in Chicago followed by a Thanksgiving holiday at home landed Jessica and James in Oceania ready for a "workation". However, sneaky James had other plans in store.

On a fateful sunny day in New Zealand the two awoke in a glass home on a rural farm, isolated from society. The morning started like any other -- a breakfast of freshly foraged berries, prayer, and conversation -- but it ended with something that (ideally) only happens once. A proposal! Just after dinner, Jessica looked away to smell a flower. James saw the opportunity and got down on one knee. Jessica screamed. James said something about marriage. A "Yes" was heard. History was made.