"Barely Even Friends, then Somebody Bends Unexpectedly"

For our first date, we met at a diner. A typical venue, but Marina was anything but typical. Our conversation steered towards mutual interests and we were both excited to learn how much we had in common. The staff apparently saw that excitement too, because they left us alone until right before they finally had to kick us out at 1 AM. I'll always fondly remember the way she asked, "Are you doing anything tomorrow?" in the parking lot before we parted ways. Marina mentioned she liked to hike, so I took her to Pyramid Mountain in Boonton. We picked the longest trail and proceeded to get lost. We ended up walking for 6 hours, talking the entire time. We both had a blast and couldn't wait to see each other again. That's when I knew she was the one.

We had our first date at the Chit Chat Diner and after that I believe in the expression "love at first sight" truly. The date was at 7:30 pm and it all started with us in sharing our healthy eating habits, similar hobbies, sharing the same morals and values until 1 am where we later were watching funny videos. We did not realize how fast time went by until one of the waiters literally had to kick us out (which we both still joke around til this day). By the time he walked me over to my car we did not want the night end so eventually went back to talking more and then I just asked him "Hey, I hope you do not find this weird in me asking you but what are you doing tomorrow?" Within seconds we agreed to do hiking the next day at Pyramid Mountain in Boonton, best 6 hour hike of my life! Later on, my father of confession gave us a book (which I highly recommend to anyone who are just getting to know each other). "101 Questions to Ask Before Getting Engaged", we were crazy enough to complete 2/3 of the questions on the Buttermilk Falls hike a day after receiving the book. Not only did it help answer deal breaker questions but answering each of them, it put us at ease but helped us go closer from 20% to 200% after completing the book. After our very first date up til completing a good portion of the book, I knew it that he was the one because not only do we share similar interests in video games, listening to podcasts, and cooking but most importantly morals and values lined up in regards to religion, how to treat one another with kindness, elevating wisdom, etc. I am thankful to God that I met him and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him!