Like a lot of people meet nowadays, we met through a dating app - Hinge, the dating app that is designed to be deleted. Man, that was definitely true. I remember meeting Jacob for the first time, I only had a slight nervousness meeting this guy, which doesn't happen at all! As soon as I laid eyes on him and started talking to him, I just felt so at ease. We spent a good amount of time on our first date, and after that, we just kept going on dates until he finally asked me to be his girlfriend.... and the rest is history!

It was a week before the tax deadline.... at the same time, it was Jacob and I's second year anniversary. We try to recreate our first date every year (which I know, it's only been 2), so that's what we did! After work, we ate ice cream, had dinner and we went to the church to pray. I am not going to lie, I had a hunch he was going to propose, which is why I had brought my press-on nails and this letter I wrote a couple of years ago (you'll find out later why). As we were praying in the prayer garden at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, we reminisced on how we have come so far as a couple - how we have grown together. Right there, he knelt down on one knee and I said YES! I didn't want to be the only one who'll receive something that day. I gave Jacob this letter I wrote two years ago - this was before I have met him and this was addressed to my "future husband". I know, it's cheesy isn't it? I wrote this letter because online dating was so tough and I just wanted to look forward to something at the time. When he opened the letter and started reading, he noticed the date on it, apparently, I wrote that letter on his birthday 2 years ago, months before I even met him. God really has a sense of humor, doesn't He? All of those prayers I have prayed for my future husband has been answered. Jacob and I's relationship could not have lasted without God at the center of our lives. So we all give Him all the glory!

After many years of searching, Jacob was ready to find a woman worthy of wielding the staff of childbirth and marriage. One word “Hinge” the app was downloaded and ready. After a few months of experiencing unsatisfactory, wild, strange, and uncomfortable dating encounters, he came across a profile of a woman named Jamie. Jamie’s profile was normal, funny, and straightforward. His heart almost skipped a beat when he realized she liked creamsicles, his favorite icy desire. The message was sent, and the first date was set. After a night of light partying and low alcohol consumption, he felt better than ever to meet Jamie at Cold Stone Creamery. The first date was absolutely amazing. Tons of laughing, quality time, and enjoyment was had during that first date. That first date evolved into a 2 (going on 3) year long relationship.

During the 2 year long dating period, many fun adventures were had including consuming large quantities of caffeine, hiking, shopping, and enjoying nature. One day, Jacob realized that it was about time to pop the o-so-special question: will you marry me? Jacob mentally sweated about the prospect of asking a woman to be his bride. On the 2-year first date anniversary, Jacob had the idea of re-creating the first date with Jamie with a little added flavor at the end. That added flavor was a proposal outside of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in King, NC. Amidst tears, laughter, and pure joy Jacob got down on one knee, whipped the ring out of his pocket, and asked: will you marry me? With uncontrollable excitement, Jamie screamed YES! The engagement was successful, and the anticipation for marriage on November 15th at Our Lady of Grace at 2pm in Greensboro, NC was about to be a reality.