We're getting married!

Her Side: DeAndra’s Perspective I like to think of myself as a bit of a Hinge strategist—maybe even a Hinge warrior. I knew how to work the algorithm, how to spark a conversation, and how to filter through profiles with intention. When I saw Jason’s photo, I was immediately drawn in—it was the smile for me. But what truly caught my attention was the video on his profile. His energy was magnetic, even in just a few seconds. Then I noticed he lived in Uniondale and worked in law—check and check. But beyond the boxes he ticked, I was genuinely intrigued. I sent the like. He took two days to respond. Two days! But from the moment he replied, we never stopped talking. Our conversation flowed with this rare, instant ease—like we were picking up where we left off, even though we’d just met. It was warm, funny, and natural. We even turned our entire Hinge thread into a printed book—because we knew it was something worth holding onto. When we finally met in person, it felt surreal. He picked me up with a bouquet he made himself—flowers and paintbrushes tied together as a nod to my work as an artist. That tiny detail said everything. I remember thinking, Wow... he really paid attention. My mom always told me, “Everyone starts out nice,” but here we are, two and a half years later, and Jason has never stopped being thoughtful, present, and deeply kind. I always say I bagged him because I made the first move, but the truth is... we chose each other. And it’s still the best decision I’ve ever made. His Side: Jason’s Perspective In early 2022, I was grounded, self-assured, and ready to date with intention. Then one day, a message popped up on Hinge—from someone named DeAndra. I saw her photo and thought, She’s stunning, but the real magic was in our conversation. It flowed like water—witty, natural, and full of spark. It was, without exaggeration, the best I’d ever had, online or off. By Sunday night, I told her, You have to let me take you out. And she said yes. She was a full-time art teacher waking up at 5 a.m., so a Thursday night date was no small thing. I wanted to show her I’d been listening—so I picked up paintbrushes and flowers, with help from my cousin, and arranged a bouquet that honored her artistry. I even sent her my ID ahead of time to make her feel safe—though apparently, it almost backfired because my license photo looked nothing like me anymore. We met, and from the moment I handed her that bouquet, something shifted. I knew. We spent the evening walking through a photography exhibit and talking late into the night over dinner. She stayed out way later than planned. And I walked away knowing I had just met someone extraordinary. That night was the beginning of everything—and I’ve never looked back.