It started, like so many things in 2020, with a swipe. Julia had just downloaded Hinge out of boredom and a weird mixture of optimism and caution—after all, dating during a pandemic wasn’t exactly ideal. Jared’s profile caught her eye. Although most of his pictures seemed outdated like he hadn't used social media in years, his prompt responses showed off his luring personality. Something about his vibe felt like a breath of fresh air in a very closed-off world. Their first message was casual kind of opener, something about double stuffed oreoes. That quickly turned into texting, then phone calls, and before Julia knew it, they were meeting up for dinner at Apulia in Hoboken, where Julia thought they were just getting to know each other as friends. Jared had a different feeling. He casually mentioned that he was planning to move to Hoboken soon, but Julia, convinced it was just a smooth line, laughed it off. "Sure, okay," she thought. "We'll see about that." But sure enough, Jared did move, and what had started as lighthearted “we’ll see” quickly turned into more than either of them had imagined. They spent weekends exploring the city, taking spontaneous trips, and discovering just how well they clicked. It wasn’t long before they both realized they were in this for real. Their love story felt like the slow burn that only gets stronger the longer it’s left to simmer. By 2023, they were engaged, and their life together was settling into a comfortable rhythm. After Jared popped the question, it felt like the perfect time to take the next big step. So, they decided to adopt a puppy—Milo quickly turned their apartment upside down with his boundless energy and puppy eyes, becoming the newest member of their little family. Their journey had always been a bit unconventional, born out of the unexpected timing of a pandemic, but it was theirs—perfectly imperfect and built on the little moments that had turned into a lifetime. Now, after years of laughs, adventures, and growing together, they’re ready to make it official in a way they never imagined possible back in 2020: married, with the whole world ahead of them. <3