In January 2022, Emily made a New Year’s resolution to go on just one date for the year. After a week of engaging conversations on Hinge with a promising JT, she agreed to meet up for coffee in early April. Emily hoped it would go well and perhaps another date would follow, but she was also content if it merely fulfilled her New Year’s resolution. The original plan was to meet at Zanzibar’s Coffee, but due to very limited seating, we had to reroute. We journeyed to an additional coffee shop, only to find the lobby closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Finally, we found seating at Gateway Market and had our first opportunity to converse in-person. Emily found JT to be a good listener and handsome with his surprise beard. JT, in turn, thought Emily had an easy-natured attitude and a cute smile. In the subsequent months, we evolved from mere “coffee dates” to boyfriend and girlfriend. We spent our time together attending downtown Des Moines festivals, traveling, and getting to know each other’s families. We soon realized that we’d found our person and that Emily’s goal of going on just one date had far exceeded expectations. About a year after dating, we started completing projects around JT’s house to put it on the market. In June 2023, JT sold his house and moved in with Emily. In October 2023, for our 1.5 year dating anniversary, we returned to Gateway Market to grab food to take to a picnic at Water Works Park. JT tried to underplay the Gateway Market connection by focusing on this picnic as an opportunity to take Zuko, our fiery miniature schnauzer, for a walk through the park. Zuko, ever the distraction, barked at passing cyclists, giving JT the perfect moment to pull the ring from his pocket. In the middle of a field at Water Works Park, JT proposed, and Emily joyfully said, “Yes!” We quickly spread the news to family and friends, and soon, with those we love most around us, we’ll become husband and wife!