The first date i was a dummy - Hein Hein and I met online on an app called Hinge! It seems so crazy now looking back, we have so many mutual friends, but it was just another way to connect I guess! I had joined to support a friend in her dating app adventures and was only on hinge for a few hours when I matched with Hein! We had instant chemistry and witty dialogue. We met up the next night at Mafioza’s in Nashville for 2:1 pizza and beer. I was nervous and excited, which was so unusual! I had gone on a couple other online dates and felt calm, cool, and didn’t care at all. I actually cared about this one! He was so handsome and interesting! Being nervous, I drank both beers (which I never do!). He was engaging and asked questions that kept me talking. I thought the night went great. We texted on and off for the next few days but he ended up being honest and saying “this isn’t what I’m looking for romantically”. I appreciated the honesty and while disappointed, figured it just wasn’t meant to be. Thinking I had nothing to lose, I asked “any advice for me going forward?” He admits now he was really surprised and impressed by that. He kindly said to ask more questions. (Again, two drinks + already a Chatty Cathy does not equal me asking a lot of questions) Little did I know that we would later call this date “Date 0” affectionately.

We went our separate ways for almost three months when he reached out again. He apologized for ending things so quickly and felt he had handled it poorly. I told him the truth, that I appreciated his honesty and that first dates are always hard, we need to give each other grace! We began chatting again and he asked if I would be willing to go out again. We agreed dinner dates maybe weren’t our strong suits and I suggested rock climbing. That date lasted an hour and half and I went my merry way thinking maybe we could be friends. I was totally clueless that he wanted to go out after! Well dates went by and soon we were exclusive and here we are! A slow build but one that I wouldn’t trade for the world. It may have taken a bit for me to convince him, but I know that God was in work through the whole thing and the timing was perfect.

A year and a half later, we went on vacation with my family in Hawaii and he proposed on the cliffs at Shipwreck Beach. I had absolutely no clue and it was the best surprise ever!!