It was love at first swipe... We met on a dating app called "The League." Both of us had dating app fatigue, but we matched on the app and struck up a conversation. While dating apps are the new way to meet, it always strikes us as crazy how one tiny decision changed our lives. Had we not "swiped right", or even after matching, never struck up a conversation, we likely would have never met each other. So, while meeting on a dating app might not carry the classic love story of locking eyes in a room, or knowing each other through friends, school, work or other activity, our random chance feels like a new sort of classic romance. It makes you appreciate the small moments in your life, because you never know which small moments could end up changing your life forever. We have had many of those small moments throughout our relationship. Ones where things could have turned out differently, but we always stuck together. After that first swipe, our lives were changed. Here's the story from both our perspectives.

My experience with dating apps is probably not unique. Lots of "matches" but no real conversations. Obviously that was not the case with Della. Within the first few messages back and forth, we decided to meet up. Trying not to be too forward, I decided Sunday brunch was a great first date option and she agreed. Waking up slightly hungover, I was still very excited to meet this beautiful med student I'd been talking to for the past week. 30 mins before brunch, I get a text from Della. She needs to cancel because she isn't feeling well. My thoughts? She's no longer interested. I was disappointed because I was looking forward to meeting, but told myself these things happened. I left it up to her to reschedule, but had my doubts I would hear from her again. To my surprise, she txted me later that week asking reschedule. Still intrigued, I agreed and chose a spot. Little did I know, the spot was hotel rooftop bar. So much for not being too forward. Despite my risque date spot, Della still met me out and I was wowed. Very rarely does anyone live up to their dating profiles; Della blew hers away in person. That first date lasted almost 7 hours. It was amazing. I wasn't ready to commit though, taking advice from my friends to not jump in so quickly. I'd done that in the past, and it didn't work out. I needed to take time for "me". Della respected that time. And for some reason, decided that hanging out while I waited to make up my mind was a good idea. Despite me forgetting her birthday. I'm sure she'll mention that! Two months later after we first met, I introduced Della to a few of my friends. Of course they loved her. I took her to a new years eve party to meet all of my friends when my guy friends pulled me to the side. The same friends that told me to take time for me were now saying, "What are you doing, marry that girl." That was all I needed to hear. From then on, I was hers and knew that we would be spending our life together.

Fall of 2017 was a very busy and stressful time for me. I was about to start the process of interviewing for residencies so online dating and getting treated to nice cocktails while exploring downtown Chicago was the perfect distraction. Joel and I met at a rooftop bar after he agreed to reschedule our brunch date that I had cancelled last minute after getting home too late the night before. We hit it off right away and continued on to dinner where Joel proceeded to order a bottle of nice wine- right from the start I learned that Joel enjoys the finer things in life. After an amazing first date, I was eager to see Joel again; however, I was pretty sure I would be leaving the city in a few months and hadn’t planned on starting a serious relationship. Unfortunately, I quickly realized Joel is much more than just an incredibly handsome, tall young professional. I began to spend all my free time with Joel and was introduced and welcomed into his both his group of friends and his amazing family. Although my mom was initially hesitant about Joel after he forgot to wish me a happy birthday several weeks into dating, it became apparent to both her and the rest of my family that Joel is the most supportive and thoughtful partner I could ask for. We’ve been through a lot these first few years, but from rooftop bars in Chicago to the Poconos in Pennsylvania it’s always better when we’re together.

Many of my friends and family can attest to the fact that I've always been a planner. I told Jess in December of 2018 that I was ready to marry Della and that she should start looking for a diamond. In mid-late January, she found it. In that month, I probably told a dozen people that I was planning on proposing and started testing out my "grand proposal." There is a running path behind our apartment that is a 5 mile loop that Della frequently runs (as in every day that the weather cooperates.) I can't run the whole five mile loop at Della's pace, so I wanted the first time for me running it with her to be the time I proposed. I was going to feign injury, not that it would be hard to believe, and then propose on the bridge overlooking the river and our apartment and life we started in Wilkes-Barre. But that isn't how I proposed. Instead I decided the right moment was a night where she finished work early. She was getting ready, and having the ring for almost 2 weeks, it was burning a hole in my pocket. So I did what any reasonable person would do. I waited until she was out of the shower, then followed her into our walk in closet and when she asked what she should wear, I told her I knew what she could wear for the rest of her life and got down on one knee. She was speechless. Literally. She said nothing. The first thought in my head? I messed up. I messed up real bad. Why am I in the freaking closet? So I timidly asked again, and this time I could barely get the words out before she said yes. It was just us, in our apartment, together. Simple. Exactly how she wanted it. We couldn't be happier.