Hinge, Tinder, Bumble - you know the names. The apps you love to hate. The apps you say you'll never download again and then there you are, freshly (re)downloaded and readying yourself for the task of crafting the perfect bio; witty without trying too hard - inviting without appearing desperate. Sounds fun right? No? Well, this time it was! Hinge offers users a simplified experience where one can expand on predefined templates when creating their profile, for example: I get along with people who... Growing up, I wanted to be... One trait that defines me is... (this was the one that started the whole thing) Cassie and Brendan’s interaction began like most do, with a 'like' on a picture. She had liked a picture of him and he, in turn, had liked a picture of her. A section of his profile indicated that he had chosen decisiveness as a trait that described him. Cassie and Brendan both led busy lives so a couple weeks post-match their communication over the app was sporadic and light, sharing tidbits about themselves and their families - but, as they say in the online dating world, no one's looking for a pen pal :) This is when Cassie did what she does best and took the situation by the horns! Using his own wit against him, she presented Brendan with two restaurant choices and demanded that he put that decisiveness to work! He was at once caught off guard and excited! As luck would have it neither of the options presented worked with their schedules so they settled on a Sunday dinner at a small local place, the Front Street Social Club in Ballston Spa, NY. As they sat down that evening, they both knew we were into something good. After an hour they hadn't even looked at the menu, too engaged in conversation. Two hours later they left their seats and headed toward the door full of one another's stories and eager for more. Over the next two weeks they were more or less inseparable, and it has been that way since.

Almost a year to the day since they'd first met, Brendan and Cassie headed out to brunch targeting a local cafe. Worth mentioning is that parking just west of this particular cafe forces one to walk right by the Front Street Social Club (the venue for Bren and Cass's first date). About a week prior, and on the advice of Cassie's friend Stef, Brendan had arranged a photographer to capture the moment, paparazzi-style! As per plan, Brendan and Cassie arrived in town, and parked just west of the cafe. They began making their way up the street hand in hand. The photographer was waiting on the corner, long range lens hidden in a bush behind her as the two approached. In a characteristic display of risk tolerance, Brendan actually said hello to the photographer as they passed - GAME ON! As they approached the facade of the Front Street Social they began to reminisce on the past year, noting the point of origin just up ahead. As they came up to the entry of Front Street Social Brendan stopped, took both of Cassie's hands and pulled her in close. Brendan then dropped to a knee, and asked, at once both the lightest and heaviest question one can ask another. If you were to ask Cassie, she doesn't recall the next few moments, but rest assured -- her response was favorable; there are pictures to prove it! Brendan and Cassie are both so excited to celebrate this occasion with all of their favorite people next August! See you in Saratoga! xo