Bride's version: June 29, 2016 we matched on Tinder which led to a 'Hey there!' from Aaron and three weeks of texting before the big first date! There was something about him that made me want to keep talking and to meet in person. In fact, I had to ghost him for hours since we were texting too much! (What would there be to talk about on the date??) Our first date was on July 15th, 2016 where we met at the Taphouse in Hackettstown, NJ. Obviously after dinner we needed ice cream and Aaron offered to drive to Cliff's (the best place around). A side hug goodbye and a text from him saying he "had a great time" before I even got home...I knew a second date would follow.... Little did I know, it would be two days later when he 'just happen' to have a wine tour scheduled at a vineyard 5 minutes from my house and needed someone to go.. (wink wink). Of course, I willingly volunteered and the rest is history! Grooms Version: It started with a 'Hey there!'. Which turned into a first date of a burger and a beer followed by Cliff's ice cream.. As we stat on the benches and chatted for while.. we both came to the realization that this amazing ice cream spot apparently does not have a bathroom. As it was late and nearing midnight, we tried multiple locations, including the usual suspects of McDonalds and Wendy's- all of course closing as soon as we pulled in. At this point, we were pretty desperate to find a place. While driving around, I offered a hand for Kimmie to squeeze but was denied! I knew I had to think quick at this point. I thought "what is one other place that is open late?"... and that is how we ended up arriving at the finest of places to end a first date: White Castle. As I dropped Kimmie off at her car I knew that I wanted to see her again. We hugged good bye and I made sure to text her good night. Shortly after this first date, I knew the second date could not end up at a White Castle. I classed it up a little bit with some wine.

Every year on the first Saturday of December, we cut down our Christmas tree, go to Treehouse Brewing company, bake cookies, and watch one Christmas movie. This tradition was established when we first moved in together in 2018. This year was our third annual Christmas weekend, and in true 2020 fashion, a huge snowstorm moved our tree searching adventure to Sunday instead of Saturday. On top of that, my family had planned a 'Second Thanksgiving Dinner' (or so I thought) that same day... On Sunday, Aaron got really dressed up to go chop down a tree in 6 inches of snow.. ..He 'claimed' he wanted to put on actual clothes after having been home for the past 9 months. Weird.. but okay. When we got to the tree farm, Aaron seemed very disinterested in picking out a tree. (nerves were getting the best of him) When we found the perfect tree, I pulled my usual and 'offered' to cut down the tree. (I always start and then give up.) After struggling, I gave up- obviously blamed the saw on my inability to cut the tree-- and turned around to give Aaron the saw. When I turned around, Aaron was down on one knee proposing! After tears and saying YES a photographer jumped out from behind a tree and had captured it all! Aaron had planned the entire proposal down to every detail!.. and the proposal was just the beginning of this whirlwind day! After a private photoshoot with champagne and even Christmas ornaments for the tree, we went home to get ready for a party with my family (apparently it wasn't a second Thanksgiving but rather an engagement party that everyone knew about!). Aaron had also even arranged for a zoom with extended family for those who could not be with us in-person to celebrate!! It was the perfect proposal!!