"I'll never get on the dating apps" I used to always say to my friends. God clearly had other plans :) One night after dinner with my girlfriends, they somehow convinced me, and I'm so glad I did. Jason and I initially matched on Hinge sometime in late Spring of 2021, but shortly after connecting, we both ended up getting off the app for a little while for different reasons. After some time, we got back on and re-matched on June 21st. I was very impressed with how intentional Jason was when it came to asking me out on a date, and that he suggested coffee- one of my favorites. We went on our first date at Valor Coffee on a Saturday morning in June in downtown Alpharetta, and I'll never forget seeing him waiting for me underneath a tree by the coffee shop. We walked inside, and those butterflies I had in my stomach seeing his smile and those blue eyes were so real... he was so handsome! We got a table outside and sat there for at least two hours. Conversation came so effortlessly, and I found myself so comfortable around him. I remember talking about so many things and feeling like we already had a lot in common. I was definitely into this guy! We had some incredible dates and many long phone conversations the few months to follow. I was amazed at how easy it was to connect with him. Fast forward to September 22nd, and he officially asked me to be his girlfriend. For the next two years, he pursued me. We had the BEST time together and our relationship grew deeper and deeper. Throughout our relationship, there was peace beyond understanding for us both. Some of my favorite moments together so far have been our trips to Cincinnati, Charlotte, Portland, Savannah, California and Hilton Head, cooking together, being insanely goofy, seeking the Lord in prayer, J flying me around Atlanta, but most importantly, November 3rd, 2023, the day he asked me to marry him! My heart has found the one whom my soul loves. I prayed for my future husband for years, and what God has given me in Jason outdoes anything I thought I knew I wanted. He is the most kind, thoughtful, respectful, honorable, patient, humble, selfless, silly, hilarious, FUN, easy going, handsome, Christ loving man. Words cannot express how thankful I am that God brought us together that Summer of 2021, and how excited I am to become Jason's wife. God is the ultimate matchmaker, and His timing is perfect. By the grace of God, our love story has truly experienced Psalm 23:6, "His love and mercy has followed us all the days of our lives." For that, we are forever grateful.

I moved to Atlanta, GA in April of 2021 after what seemed to be a never-ending global pandemic and a possible risk of losing my job. After a couple of months in Atlanta and getting a bit more comfortable with the area I signed up for an online dating app. I had a bit of underwhelming dates and matches until I finally matched with the beautiful Ellen Stark. We started talking and as we began talking it was at a time in her life where her dad was going through some health struggles. Our conversation really didn’t develop into something at that time for obvious reasons and I didn’t have much success, so I deleted the app. I focused on other things but after a bit of time I had the urge to re-download the app. After a few days we matched again, yay, this time I didn’t want to waste the great opportunity of meeting this woman. The first date was set on June 26th, 2021, at Valor Coffee in Alpharetta, GA on a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning. I remember the nerves I had driving to the coffee shop and made sure I arrived a little early. After walking over, I stood near a tree and waited patiently…. there she is. We both recognized each other, and I remember the genuine smile she had on her face as we said hello to each other and hugged. We grabbed some coffee and sat down outside enjoying great conversation and getting to know one another…. I knew she was different! I even put a few early moves on her while we were talking as the sun was cooking my back, so naturally I had to slide closer to her, it was a funny moment! After that we walked to the corner of the street and as we said our goodbyes, we had a hug that lingered and if anyone knows me, I’m a big hugger, we both had a great time! Our second date was at Colleta in Alpharetta, an Italian restaurant, we enjoyed a delicious ice cream to top of the night and that’s when I learned of her fear of cockroaches. Leading into our third date I knew Ellen was special. We went on a hike at Stone Mountain which had some beautiful views of Atlanta and would mark a very memorable future moment in our lives! As we continued dating and getting to know each other, laugh, make memories, and most of all have so much fun I knew I wanted her to be my girlfriend. I took time to pray and seek God’s will and direction on if Ellen was for me and God gave me peace and assurance with that decision. On September 22nd, 2021, while having dinner at Kyma in Buckhead, GA I asked her if she would be my girlfriend! God has blessed us with so many great memories, making firsts, and truly enjoying the blessings of God bringing us together. Fast forward to November 3rd, 2023, at the very same Stone Mountain we had our third date I asked Ellen Stark to marry me, YAY! :) She is such an amazing woman of God that has a Christ like heart, who is kind, loving, generous, beautiful inside and out, joyful, silly, humble, patient, wise, sweet, puts other before herself, and most of all loves the Lord! I can’t wait to marry her on July 20th, 2024, and look forward to having everyone there to celebrate! "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7