Erin and Pascal met the modern way — on Hinge — while living in two different countries. Erin was in Costa Rica, and Pascal was in Connecticut. What started as a simple match quickly stood out, sparked by their shared love for dogs, outdoor adventures, and an active lifestyle. Although they matched right away, their first date didn’t happen until seven weeks later — proof that some things are worth the wait. What could have been just another dating app conversation soon became something neither of them expected. Their first date was a casual Sunday afternoon at 314 Beer Garden — with Erin’s dog, OB, along for the occasion. Between conversations about careers, family, movies, and their favorite podcasts, the hours slipped by unnoticed. It was the kind of easy, comfortable connection that made everything feel effortless from the very beginning. They spent the next five weeks getting to know each other before Erin returned to Costa Rica. Before she left, they had an honest conversation: Should they try long distance? With a November visit already in mind, they decided they were worth the risk. That November trip was supposed to last six days — but six quickly turned into ten. Being together in Costa Rica felt natural, like a glimpse into what life could really look like. And neither of them wanted it to end. Over the next few months, they made the distance work. Daily video calls, constant selfies, and plane tickets became part of their routine. Between November 2024 and March 2025, Pascal visited Erin three times in Costa Rica, each trip strengthening what they were building. Then came the unexpected twist — Pascal tore his ACL. Without hesitation, Erin flew back to the U.S. in February to help him through the first two weeks after surgery. What could have been a stressful time instead became a defining one. Through early mornings, post-op recovery, and navigating crutches and ice packs, they saw what partnership truly meant. Somewhere between airport goodbyes, long-distance calls, and ACL recovery, they realized this wasn’t just a relationship — it was their forever beginning.