How We Met Kristina: After trying multiple dating apps, singles events, and parties, I finally gave in and downloaded Tinder. I had always thought of it as a hookup app, but I was ready to find my person—so I gave it a shot. Vincent was my second match. I remember his profile picture next to a surfboard; he looked adventurous and handsome. So I swiped right! That same day, while running errands and planning to grab a drink alone that evening, I got a message from Vincent asking me out. Since I was already planning to go out, I replied, “How about tonight?” He agreed and suggested an underground bar downtown that I had been to before. Vincent: I had just started dipping my toe back into the dating pool while working in Iowa. I joined a few apps as “practice” before heading back to New York. Then I saw Kristina’s profile—and it immediately stood out. I remember thinking, Who is that? No one else looks or feels like this. When she said, “How about tonight?” I was surprised—but excited. I rushed home from work, showered, and met her at the bar. She got there before me (of course), and when I arrived, it was packed and loud. Kristina: I had been there before when it was quieter, but that night it was nearly impossible to see or hear anything. When Vincent walked up, the first thing I noticed was his big smile—and I was immediately smitten. But I couldn’t hear a word he was saying, so I suggested we go to a speakeasy-style bar across the street. Vincent: She led the way to a quieter spot, and we sat at the bar and talked like old friends. I couldn’t stop smiling. She talked, I listened, and the time flew until the bar was closing. We later found out we lived just two blocks from each other. Kristina lived across the street from a coffee shop I visited often, and in a building I had once considered moving into. After her residency ended, we moved together to Waterloo, Iowa (well—technically Hudson), and started building our life side by side. The Proposal Kristina: After many months of dating, Vincent told me we were going to New York for his sister-in-law’s birthday. He had booked the Hard Rock Hotel in Times Square and kept checking in to make sure my nails were done and that I had something nice to wear. He took me to Tony’s Restaurant—because I love Italian food—and led me downstairs to a private room. As I walked in, the first faces I saw were my mom and dad. “Hi Mom. Hi Dad,” I said, a little confused. Then I turned around—and there was Vincent, down on one knee, holding the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. Vincent: I had been planning the proposal for months. I bought the ring in September 2023 and secretly coordinated both of our families and friends to be there to witness the moment. On February 3, 2024, in a room filled with our favorite people, I asked Kristina to marry me. She said yes! The restaurant serenaded us, and we celebrated with amazing food and lots of love. Kristina: After dinner, Vincent surprised me with my first Broadway show—Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I’m a huge fan, so it was perfect. I couldn’t stop looking at my ring… or at my soon-to-be husband.