Darla and Jesse met on the dating app Hinge. Jesse swiped right on Darla because “she had a good smile and looked normal”. Darla swiped right on Jesse due to his photo featuring his Akita Husky, Echo. Darla was over dating but she hoped her Jindo dog, Koda, might at least make a new friend. If you know Koda you know he LOVES other dogs but isn't a fan of men. After chatting for a couple of days, Jesse invited Darla out on their first date to Emiliano's, a local Mexican restaurant. They immediately connected over dinner and stayed at their table talking too long to the distress of their waiter. At Jess’s suggestions they continued their evening at a nearby bar. One drink turned into two, and before they knew it, they were deep in conversation until about 2 am in the morning. As they went on more dates, their bond grew stronger. Long talks and shared experiences brought them closer together from Axe throwing to trying new foods. Darla realized she had found someone special when, after a pipe burst in her house, Jesse quickly came over to fix it without hesitation. Even Koda, who is a man hater, warmed up to Jesse within the hour. Jesse’s dogs, Charlie and Echo, and Darla’s Koda quickly became their own little pack. Over the next two years, Jesse introduced Darla to his love of boating, and they spent countless hours working on boats together. They rebuilt an outdrive, renovated Jesse's house as a team and learned about each other's strengths and weaknesses. They found out they quickly balanced eachothers personalities. They did many projects together some that were easy and some not so much. Jesse taught a lot and Darla learned a lot. Things didn't always go according to plan but they fell in love. Through it all, they developed strong communication skills and became best friends. Their weekends were filled with saw dust, paint, country concerts, boating trips, and new adventures. After two years, Jesse and his dogs moved into Darla’s house in Baldwin, blending their families together. In October 2025, Jesse proposed to Darla while they were apple-picking at Sorgel Orchards, and Darla immediately said yes. Now, they look forward to their future together and can’t wait to celebrate their wedding day with friends and family at The Woods at Eisler Farms on June 26, 2026.