you, me and the sea

Samantha's Version: In 2022, after a year full of change, I felt rejuvenated, free, and more myself than ever. By the summer, I was ready to get back into the dating scene and started browsing the apps. One day in late September, I came across a profile on Hinge. The guy listed every book he'd read that year—Brené Brown, Ryan Holiday, Sanjay Gupta, Adam Grant. My interest was piqued. I kept scrolling and noticed something odd: he looked like a different person in each picture! I had no idea who I was swiping on, but I figured, Why not try something different? He must have felt the same, because next thing I knew, we matched. He invited me to coffee on a Sunday morning (cue Maroon 5). We had an amazing conversation—I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing. I felt completely at ease and more like myself than I had in a while. Then we realized we both worked for the same school district, which made everything feel even more familiar. After the date, he walked me to my car and asked for my phone number. I went home, deleted the app, and—true to form—immediately started overthinking. A few days later, we met up for pizza, and we've been inseparable ever since. At a retreat, someone once told me, "If you're lucky, you'll get 75 springs, summers, autumns, and winters. Don’t dwell on the small things; make the most of the time you have." With every card, text, and forehead kiss, Jake makes me feel seen, heard, and loved like never before. I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else, and I can't wait for our big day! Jake's Version: We first connected on Hinge in late summer 2022. What stood out to me about Sam's profile was how thoughtful and genuine her responses were—she was as interesting as she was beautiful. I thought, No way this girl matches with me, but to my surprise, we matched, and started chatting. We planned to meet for coffee on October 2nd. Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations—I just wanted to make a good first impression. I was nervous, but those nerves disappeared once we started talking. We quickly discovered we had things in common, like teaching in the same district and enjoying an active lifestyle. But what stood out to me was how easy it was to talk to her. At the end of the date, I walked her to her car, told her I had a great time, and worked up the courage to ask for her number. I wasn’t sure if she’d say yes, but she did. I tried to play it cool and wait a bit to text her, but I caved and reached out about going on a second date. That date was on October 6th. We bonded over our love for pineapple on pizza, and I remember standing outside the restaurant when my friends drove by. They called to check in, and I found myself telling them about my date, all while waiting for Sam. We had an incredible dinner, learned more about each other's families and lives, and the more we talked, the more intrigued I became. By the end of the night, I knew Sam was special. The following weeks were filled with SDSU football games, escape rooms, meeting friends, and—of course—debates over green vs. blue text bubbles. Since then, it's been clear to me how much we love each other. We’ve been there for each other during tough times and encouraged one another to grow. I'm excited for what’s ahead as we continue this journey together, now as husband and wife.