Gabe and Hannah met the modern way: by swiping right on a dating app (thanks Hinge!) in February 2019. When Gabe recounts the tale, he always likes to add in that Hannah left him waiting for nine days before replying, but she doesn’t remember it quite that way! Their first date was over lunch at the Stockpot in Virginia Beach where they stayed so long talking and laughing that the restaurant eventually had to close. Gabe wanted to keep hanging out, but Hannah resisted— trying to play a little hard to get. The joke is on her…they had their second date the very next day and have been together ever since! Over the past three years, their love has continued to grow and deepen. Through many happy times, like moving in together and bringing home Willie, to the more trying times, like time apart due to work trips and deployments— and who can forget the pandemic! Through it all, Gabe and Hannah’s adoration, support, and dedication to each other and their relationship is steadfast as ever.

If anyone knows Hannah, you can echo that she has a “healthy sense of curiosity.” Boy did she meet her match in Gabe because he pulled off the perfect surprise proposal! Gabe’s original proposal was to be set on the Amalfi Coast in 2020, but COVID-19 had other plans. He opted instead for Charlottesville, VA, one of their favorite places. Although it was a rainy Saturday, they didn’t let it dampen their visit spending the afternoon enjoying wine and charcuterie at a vineyard. Gabe did however capitalize on the weather, coaxing Hannah into spending the evening at a showing of "A Hard Day’s Night", the Beatles movie, at the historical Paramount Theater. Hannah was sure she would fall asleep, but went with the plan without much resistance (surprisingly, for once!) As they waited for the movie to begin, Hannah was confused why no one was there but chocked it up to the fact that it was Saturday and everyone else in town was likely doing what she wanted to be doing— drinking more wine. After the first five minutes of the movie, she was sure the Beatles were going to put her to sleep, when the movie abruptly cut off. Suddenly the first photo Gabe and Hannah ever took together popped up on screen, along with the first chords of their favorite song, “I’m Your’n” by Tyler Childers. As the video continued, along with their song, Gabe got down on one knee and asked Hannah to marry him. It was the easiest answer she's ever given—YES! The gracious staff at the Paramount Theater went above and beyond, greeting them after with glasses of champagne and even a professional photographer. Hannah was so unaware of what was happening when they arrived that she even walked under the marquee exclaiming, “Forever You and Me!” It was truly like a scene out of a movie.