In a feverish attempt to find a mate before Jimmy gave up and joined the priesthood and Dervla went to Ireland on vacation and needed a pen pal, the two met online in true COVID fashion thanks to Hinge. A photo of each other on a boat, Dervla in Phi Phi Island and Jimmy in Lake Arrowhead is what brought them together. After multiple weeks of messaging and no date in sight, Dervla impatiently (true to her fashion) said "I'm leaving to go to Ireland for a month next week, so are we meeting up before I go or what?". They had their 1st date at North End Bar in Hermosa Beach in late June 2021 (Jimmy's one and done experience with online dating). The conversation flowed for hours, talking about everything from travel, children, marriage, jobs and philosophies. The following week Dervla left for Ireland for a month and during that time they spoke every day. As soon as she got back on US soil the 2nd date was set up - Country Karaoke night at OB's in Manhattan Beach (Jimmy sure knows how to show a girl a good time). Despite Jimmy's “horrible” Buffalo cowboy shirt and Dervla’s obliviousness to her lack of tune, the two looked past each other’s shortcomings and from that night forward have been inseparable. A road trip up the coast to San Francisco over Labor Day Weekend (1st weekend in September, for the non Yanks) was what sealed the deal for the couple. If you can survive a four-day weekend and countless hours in a car with someone and still not want it to end, I think it's safe to say they were officially in love. When they got back from San Francisco Dervla knew Jimmy was the one for her. All Jimmy knew was that Dervla was ready for the next step, AKA the family test. He asked her to go on a family vacation the following June to Italy (baby steps). Despite everyone being surprised they didn't get engaged or even married at the Sicilian Castle with his family, their relationship did move forward on the second leg of their trip. While in Ireland and unbeknownst to Dervla, Jimmy asked her Father Paul for her hand in marriage. Oh to be a fly on that wall: - Jimmy - "Paul, thank you so much for welcoming me into your beautiful home and I hope you understand how much I love your daughter. I don't know when or where it will happen, but I will ask your daughter for her hand in marriage, but only after getting your blessing first." Paul - "Did Dervla put you up to this?" Jimmy - "Not at all." Paul - "Well of course, I would love that Jimmy." Handshake, hand on Jimmy's shoulder, smile on Paul's face! Paul - "She's your problem now Jimmy." After the Italy/Ireland whirlwind they decided to live together and moved into their new apartment in Redondo Beach in September of 2022. After many weeks of trying his best to get to Ireland for New Year’s Eve to be with Dervla and the stars not aligning to be able to make that trip happen, Jimmy hatched a new plan. The day after Dervla landed from Ireland off to Lake Arrowhead they headed to “ring” in the new year. Jimmy asked Dervla's friend Karlene and his friends Cody and Hayley to go on a hike to the Heart Rock Trail. Dervla was in the dark about the name of the trail, why Jimmy was carrying a backpack and as to why the group would want to hike in the pouring rain on NYE. During the hike Dervla made comment about how it reminded her of Ireland as it was so green and raining, music to Jimmy's ears. After a short hike in the rain, right above a heart shaped rock in the river Jimmy dropped to one knee and popped the question, Dervla replied through teary eyes “a million times yes”. Tears, laughter, champagne and an amazing experience was had on the crest of a waterfall on Heart Rock Trail, surrounded by loved ones on NYE 2022. They couldn't be happier and more excited to experience the next chapter of their love story together with you all.