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Joey moved to Charlotte looking for fresh air, green spaces, and chance to meet new people. Within weeks of settling in, she found herself swapping city sidewalks for hiking trails… and, thanks to a tip from a local wedding photographer, giving Hinge another try (“that’s where all my couples meet”). Beau was one of the first people she connected with. He responded to a multiple-choice prompt on her profile—hike in the mountains, concert standing-room-only, or a day at the museum—with a clear choice: “Definitely hike or concert.” That small message led to their first date. Beau planned a full day at the Whitewater Center, complete with hiking trails and live music. Joey had expected a standard two-hour first date. Instead, they stayed for eight—wandering, talking, laughing, and discovering they were looking for the same kind of future. When Beau asked where she stood on kissing on a first date, Joey said she usually didn’t. But by hour seven, she smiled and asked if maybe she could change her mind. They both left knowing something rare had just begun.

A month after that first date, they were sitting at dinner, laughing and holding hands as they deleted their dating apps together—both of them knowing exactly what they wanted. It started with cooking each other dinners and spending every weekend side by side. By summer, Beau was sleeping over more often than not. By fall, he officially moved in. They started building a life slowly, with all the little things that make one life out of two: Sunday dinners, favorite audiobooks, game nights, figuring out whose turn it was to do the dishes. They traveled—sometimes just down the road, sometimes across states—there was a rainy beach trip to Wilmington, a cozy Airbnb in the mountains, and by the holiday season, they were trading family visits and traditions. They got better at disagreeing, and at saying “I love you” without saying a word. Then came Sully—a birthday gift from Beau and a rescue they found on Petfinder. Joey had a thing for Aussies. Beau leaned Golden Retriever. They compromised on a two-year-old maybe-mix who turned out to be neither—but was absolutely perfect. Picked up in a Wendy’s parking lot in rural Virginia, Sully had big bear paws, perfect puppy eyes, and cuddly energy. As their little family grew, so did the love between them.

By the time Beau started planning the proposal, he and Joey had already built a life full of love, laughter, and one very good dog. They’d talked about getting engaged, and Joey had designed the ring with an heirloom from Beau’s family. But the proposal itself? That was all Beau. He chose a Saturday in April and kept it simple: a morning of dog park adventures, iced coffee, and disc golf—something Joey had never done, but they’d always talked about. That evening, they had dinner plans at a surprise spot. After the fourth hole, Joey ducked away to find a bathroom. When she came back, Beau was crouched behind a tree—not looking for a frisbee, but down on one knee, holding a ring and smiling wide. She laughed, said yes, and definitely cried. That night, they returned to one of their favorite early-date restaurants. Champagne was waiting at the table, along with a card from friends who were in on the secret. The whole day felt magical and joyful—completely, unmistakably them.