It was in the middle of Covid 2020, at the height of the pandemic when there wasn’t any way to meet anyone except on dating apps. I remember thinking this one girl [me!] I matched with on Bumble was really cute and intriguing, but work got in the way and the timing just wasn’t right. Fast forward a couple of months and I thought I would try out the dating apps again. On November 7, a different app this time called Hinge, Laura’s bright smile wearing a red and white [pink and white] striped Where’s Waldo shirt [dress] pops up on my screen. I instantly remembered what great conversations we had [hobbies, traveling, and all things Virginia Tech...] and wanted a second chance to ask her out so I sent her a rose [a digital "rose" on Hinge] to make sure that I moved up on her queue [smart move]. We went out to Brambly Park Winery [conveniently located near Jack's apartment] the next day for what was supposed to be a quick Sunday afternoon drink date, but neither one of us wanted it to end. Wine turned into cornhole [Jack was testing my lawn game skills] which turned into dinner at Lunch and Supper [Jack's favorite restaurant and my first time there]. Our first date ended up being a 7 hour long event [Mary was freaking out by the time I got home at 9pm!]. It was the best date I have ever had [me too!] and we have never looked back since!