In March of 2022, we matched on Tinder—modern romance at its finest! After a week of chatting, he called me out (in the best way) and asked, “Are we actually going to meet or what?”—a bold move I respected. We had a Saturday date planned, but life intervened: I got invited to Kalahari in Wisconsin with my goddaughter. I had to reschedule—usually a dealbreaker for him. But apparently, the way I was upfront about it made him think, “Okay, I’ll give her another shot.” That’s how we ended up at Maria’s (which he claimed was halfway between us—spoiler: it wasn’t!). I still remember him, in his brown coat, walking in the drizzle—looking so handsome. I thought, “Okay, this guy has a strut.” We had a great time, though I talked a lot (nerves!). And, funny enough, I knew he had kids—but I assumed boys. Turns out, he’s a girl dad! A second date happened right before I flew to Madrid. I was packing, doing laundry, but I had to see him again before my trip. Tapas sealed the deal! And on our third date, roller-skating on a Thursday night, I knew. I didn’t want to wait to see him again, and soon enough, we were planning the next. By summer, we were official. By fall, I met his girls. And now, we marvel at how two people 30 miles a part ended up sharing one life.