Dave and Renata met on Hinge, where Dave sent Renata a digital rose 🌹. Dave asked, "Are you looking for a friend or a boyfriend?" Renata laughing replied, "I am looking for a friend." Dave replied, "I can be your friend!" Dave was really curious about her Brazilian culture and suggested going to “Fogo de Chão”, an Americanized take on Brazilian cuisine. Unfortunately, Renata was busy working late, but they kept chatting for a whole week, sharing stories about their lives. Finally, they met up on 9/3/21 at Lola’s, a restaurant in Ardmore, PA. They grabbed a couple of beers, both a bit nervous about ordering food. As soon as they started talking, the connection was instant! They ended up chatting for hours. As they were getting ready to leave, a random couple approached them and asked, “Excuse me, is this your first date?” One thought they looked like they’d been together for ages, while the other guessed it was their first date. They even bought Renata and Dave a drink and said, “We feel this is gonna last forever.” What a great first date! After that, Dave invited Renata to his championship ice hockey games, and of course, she said yes. Dave won his first championship in front of his future wife. Even though Dave lived in Philadelphia and Renata was juggling work and school, they made sure to see each other as much as they could. Six months later, they decided to move in together. Fall 2021 was all about cooking, exploring the city, hiking, and getting to know each other. In December 2022, they took a trip to Brazil to meet Renata's family and celebrate Christmas and New Year’s. Dave had the best time learning about her family, friends, and culture. Fast forward to New Year’s Eve 2023. Dave decided it was time to make this love story official. He surprised Renata with a proposal in one of her favorite places, Ridley Creek State Park. They spent the weekend celebrating in Swarthmore, PA, close to where they currently live. Now, they’re super excited to plan their wedding in Brazil with family and friends. They can’t wait to celebrate this special union with everyone!