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July 10, 2021
Beverly Hills, CA
#NoPlaceLikeJones

Natalie & Derek

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Derek Jones

and

Natalie Hintz

#NoPlaceLikeJones

July 10, 2021

Beverly Hills, CA

LET’S FREAKIN’ DO THIS ALREADY!!!

Alright, we tried to do this last year, but the pandemic obviosuly had other plans. But we think we can all agree that it’s time. Time for our big day and time to celebrate with YOU! Here you’ll find everything you’ll need to know about our wedding - where to go, where to stay and a bit about us and our love story. Time to get this show on the road!

How We Met

Derek’s Version

It all started where most love stories begin...the gym. 24 Hour Fitness to be exact. I had started working out there and every time I would go in, I noticed this cute girl at the front desk. Now, as cute as she was, I wasn't about to just ask her out right off the bat! What if she's says no? Then it would be super awkward every time I go in there and I'd probably have to switch gyms, maybe even leave town all together. Nope, got to play it cool. Take it slow. So I did for a little while. Not too long, but just long enough to feel things out before making a move. Plus, I couldn't really tell if she was interested anyway. I'd say hi, asked what her name was (it was Natalie if you haven't figured that out by now), make small talk. That kind of thing. Keep it casual. Then one day, the stars aligned. I came into the gym and there was Natalie. She mentioned in passing that she was going to start working at another gym. No big deal for her, huge deal for me! Now I'm free to ask her out without the worry of losing my workout spot if things go wrong! The table was set, but I still had to be smooth. I had finished my workout and started to leave. As I headed out, I noticed that Natalie seemed to be finishing up her workout too. It was a bit strange because I felt like she had just gotten there, but who am I to judge? Seeing that she was on her way out, I slowed my pace down a bit so she could catch up. Smooth. In the parking lot we got to chatting and she mentioned (again) that she was going to start working at another gym. Then she kinda just stood there. Clearly this was my opening. So I said something to the effect of "well, if you want to, you know, like hang out or something sometime, do you want to take my number?" Smooth. So we exchanged numbers, went on our first date and the rest is history! I don't know how I got so lucky to find Natalie, but I'm so glad I did! By the way, we both work out at the same gym and it's totally cool.

How We Met

Natalie’s (AKA the REAL) Version

Derek and I met while I was working for 24 Hour Fitness many many moons ago. And so our love story begins... Let me start by saying, Derek was not an easy fella to read. It took three years, THREE LONG YEARS of chatting, flirting (at least what I thought was flirting) and so many moments of thinking to myself 'YES! Today's the day, he's finally going to ask me out!'..to then being left with no date offer. THEN, finally the day was here...I had decided to go workout in the evening; not something I normally do, and to my surprise Derek was there ;). (Secretly, I was hoping he would be there! Because you know, since working at the gym, I had kept an eye out on when he usually worked out. As my friends and family like to say...a bit of light stalking haha) So anyways, there I am working out and in walks my future Groom :) We started all the small talk..'Hi how are you..blah blah'..then I decided to slip into the conversation, I had moved to another gym due to a promotion. Just trying to make it oh so subtle that I may NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN...SO ASK ME OUT ALREADY! Fast forward to about an hour or so later and I am on the treadmill chatting with my bestie on the phone, then I happen to see Derek leaving and promptly say "got to go he's leaving!" Then walking out of the gym; hoping he hadn't jetted off already, I see him standing by his car (obviously waiting for me) I walk up and start chatting. Honestly, I don't really remember much of the conversation because I was too focused on trying to again be subtle and obvious what I was looking for...a freakin' date! And then, like magic we exchanged numbers! The next day, I texted to see how his day was going, we talked and just like that we had a dinner date set for that night! And NOW, five years later, we are planning OUR WEDDING!! Personal Note: From the moment I met Derek, I knew we would be my forever. And for me personally, I was never a believer in Love at First Sight. When you know, you know!

For all the days along the way
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