Cooper and I grew up just 20 minutes from each other, a trend that would continue until the day we met on our first date. There were multiple times during our lives that Cooper and I were just steps apart from each other. In high school, I went to one of Cooper's varsity hockey games when Kirkwood played Parkway West, Cooper was a senior and I was a junior. In college, Cooper and I both went to Missouri State University for several years. There was undoubtedly moments when we would pass each other on campus, however, we would not meet until after we both graduated. At college graduation, Cooper and I were sitting in the same row, just four seats apart. Cooper and I finally met face to face on May 1st, 2023 at Big Whiskeys in Springfield, MO after matching on Tinder. We clicked instantly and spent the rest of the night there until the restaurant kicked us out because they were closing. What came after that is just the story of the rest of our lives. There were so many times in our lives that we ALMOST met, but it wasn't meant to be yet. Our love story is truly one of patience, we are both so thankful that the universe waited until the right time to meet the love of our lives.

First her love for hockey grabbed my attention, then her ability to speak German and her clear love of the outdoors really lured me in. Then the whiplash broke my neck when, not 2 hours later, she asked me, a then total stranger who had not exchanged a single message with her, to meet up. My first thought was "yes!" My second thought was "this is how white people die in horror movies". I texted a picture of her to 2 good friends of mine, one local, one Brandon, to make sure someone knew what I was doing that day. It ended up being the best "yes" of my life, though I wouldn't immediately know it. I got to Big Whiskey's early to make sure I could get a good table, one very close to the exit. We ended up not needing it, until the staff showed it to us when they closed. Sitting in her car after a lovely pretzel and cheese date, I knew I wanted to see her again, but I didn't know if she did. I clearly didn't learn my lesson because this lady was straight to the point all night. "I'm just waiting for you to kiss me" was all the motivation I needed to actually do it. Thankfully, she hasn't stopped being direct and very communicative with me and she's helped me grow into a more honest, direct, and optimistic person. I told her I never thought I'd date again, that I was content with being single. Not happy, but content. She helped show me that I was not okay with it, and I needed to get this angel on lock asap or I may truly never find someone again. She's been an absolute inspiration from the getgo and I'm genuinely so blessed to call her mine and, one day, Mrs. Thompson.