Alex and Emma met on Hinge in July 2020, right in the middle of the COVID pandemic. What started as endless texting quickly turned into something special—long, thoughtful paragraphs that took a solid 20 minutes to read and reply to. Before they ever met in person, they spent hours getting to know each other through virtual dates and late-night conversations. Their first phone call set the tone for everything that followed. Emma, driving home from a friend’s house, wasn’t ready to hang up—so she didn’t. She spent over an hour and a half driving around her neighbourhood just to keep talking. By the end of the call, both of their faces hurt from smiling, and it was clear they had found something rare: an instant, effortless connection. They finally met in person in August for tacos and a street art festival in Toronto. Alex showed up with shoulder-length hair (a surprise compared to his Hinge photos), and while Emma wasn’t exactly sold on the look, she was sold on him. By date number two, the hair was gone—and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They bonded over their shared love of food, staying active, travelling, and, of course, dogs. One of their favourite things to do together is try new restaurants, including a few Michelin-star experiences along the way. In July 2022, they moved into their first apartment together and started dog sitting on Rover. Over time, they’ve cared for more than 30 dogs, loving each one as if it were their own (and confirming that one day, they’ll definitely need a dog of their own). Through it all, they’ve supported each other’s dreams. Emma navigated medical school with Alex by her side, while Alex completed his business degree and began a career in financial derivatives structuring (trading) here in Toronto. Despite their busy schedules, they’ve always made time for each other—whether it’s date nights exploring new restaurants, picnics in the park, comedy shows, or simply enjoying the city they love. Together, they’ve traveled the world, making memories everywhere from Scotland and Thailand to France, Hawaii, and beyond. In March 2025, Emma matched to her OB/GYN residency in Toronto, meaning they could stay in their beloved home, close to family. Residency brought even busier days, but Alex has been her constant support—always there at the end of a long shift. After nearly six years together, their relationship has grown into a true partnership—built on love, laughter, and unwavering support. In October 2025, Alex proposed. On a beautiful fall morning, he suggested a hike before visiting Emma’s grandmother for Thanksgiving. Emma had no idea that her sister (and Matt) was secretly hiding in the woods, ready to capture the moment. After missing the perfect spot (and backtracking a few times to find it), Alex finally got down on one knee. In true fashion, the proposal didn’t go exactly as planned—a mountain biker came speeding down the trail, and Alex had to jump up mid-proposal before he could even get the ring on! It was perfectly imperfect—and completely them. Since then, they’ve been soaking up every moment of this next chapter and can’t wait to see where life takes them next.