It was a really hot Saturday evening in June 2019. I was supposed to meet a friend from nursing school for drinks because I didn’t have Easton that night, but those plans fell through and I was bored, so I decided to open my Hinge app and scroll through my potential suitors. (Side note: Hinge is a dating app that’s “meant to be deleted” because it’s so successful. Not sure what the statistics are on that one, but it’s true for us!) So anyway, I started conversations with 3 different guys, one of them being Derek of course. We chatted back and forth for a few minutes before I decided to “go big or go home” and asked him if he wanted to meet me right now for a drink. Of course he said yes, without any hesitation, so we planned to meet at the Como’s patio in Ferndale. As I was getting ready to leave my house, one of the other guys I was talking to asked to meet also, so I told him I had plans already but we could meet the next day for brunch, even though I hate brunch, but I had to keep my options open, obviously. I text my best friend and let her know I was going to meet Derek Thomas at Como’s and sent her a screenshot of his hinge profile so in case he ended up being a serial killer, the police would know who the prime suspect was. Turns out it was completely unnecessary because as soon as I walked in and saw him, I just knew he wasn’t going to kill me. We ended up talking for hours and hours, he walked me back to the lot I was parked in, and gave me a nice, friendly hug before we parted ways (honestly). He seemed so perfect so I convinced myself he was never going to call me again and decided to go on my brunch date the next day. As you can guess, brunch guy was a total loser, Derek did call me, and we’ve been together ever since. Getting to where we are today- navigating dating after divorce, single parenting, a pandemic, etc- was not always easy, but loving him and the girls totally was.

It all started on a Saturday evening June 29th of 2019 when I was hanging out with my crew and the evening was coming to an end. I had recently signed up on a dating app to see if I could meet any ladies to accompany me to the library, farmers market, or some other wholesome outing that I am known for. Needless to say, I was not having much luck and I started thinking maybe I should lower my standards and began wondering, "Would a felony conviction be a dealbreaker or not?". Then all of a sudden I received a message from an angel with the most beautiful smile. The night was ending with my crew and she said she didn't have anything going on and invited me out. I thought this must have been a mistake on her part and she actually messaged the wrong person but I figured I would capitalize on her error. The library and farmers market wasn't open so we decided to meet at Como's in Ferndale. I vividly remember her walking through the Como's door and at that moment I knew that I had to bring my A-game. I tried to bring the charm the only way I know how and told her the story where I was a person of interest for 30 car larcenies, but she doesn't need to worry, because I was never convicted. I wasn't sure if it was working or not but we continued and had a delightful night telling stories, talking about life, and making fun of people dancing with tube socks and sandals. We went our separate ways that evening and I wasn't sure what she thought. We continued to talk so I thought I might have a chance. We went out the next weekend, and I thought "I'm going to hit her with the one-two punch." We went out on a Friday night and then Saturday night where I would introduce her to a couple of my closest bros Cosmo and Matt. If that didn't work then nothing would. Apparently, it worked and we have been together since. It was a bit tough at first since Brandi worked nights and I was traveling and taking care of my kids but we figured things out and the rest was history!