We met on eHarmony in December of 2021 and we chatted for about a month before we met in person. We had a good time getting to know one another, we looked forward to meeting in person after the new year. We had our first two dates “virtually” due to one of us ending up with Covid from the holidays and a snow storm that closed down our area of Virginia for a week. Finally, we had our first in person date at a restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg. While we were a little nervous, we had a such a great time on our first date, that we had a 2nd and a 3rd date and then it didn’t take too long to realize that we complimented each other so well that we have been together ever since.

On a nice fall Saturday, Sept 10th 2022, we decided to make a trip to a local winery, Old House Winery, for a relaxing afternoon together and dinner at a restaurant, both in Culpeper VA just a short drive from Fredericksburg. After getting a flight of wine and another beer, the two of us went to find an outside picnic table. Despite my request to sit near others, Heather asked to sit at a table away from others so we could have some privacy. Little did she know but I had a engagement ring hiding in my short's pocket. I was hoping for a little crowd when I proposed to add a little excitement but Heather kept foiling my plans. Next she wanted to explore and take a lot of photos, but I pretended to not want any as we walked around hoping to wait until after for ring pics. When we went inside to get more wine and some food she decided to sit in the middle of a long picnic table making it impossible for me to kneel next to her. Next, when our food was ready, we again walked to an outside table, with a nice ring hiding in my palm of my hand underneath my glass of beer and a basket of fries in my other hand as we proceeded to walk across the winery to a new section. As we walked a few thousand feet across the winery, desperately trying to make sure I didn't drop the ring, we finally found a table, but most of the crowd had already left to my dismay. Not wanting to miss my 1st real opportunity, as Heather sat down (in the middle again :), I distracted her by placing the aromatic and gooey Bacon Chili Cheese Fries in-front of her. Distracted by the fries, she didn't notice me kneeling down, holding the ring and finally asking for her hand in marriage. She said yes and the rest is history, after a lot of pictures (one in-front of a giant LOVE sign), dinner at the appropriately named local restaurant, Its About Thyme. Being so nervous about the ring and jubilation of her saying yes, we didn't notice all of connections between us and the area until our drive back. From drinks at the winery in the same area in Culpeper where she used to live with her Mother, to dinner at the appropriately named restaurant It's About Time, when I finally proposed after knowing we were meant for each other for while. It truly was a perfect day.