James and Kristen met on Hinge. The End. J(ust) K(idding). One day, a handsome guy with a sensitive soul chose to pursue a pretty girl with lots of anxiety (and no free time). These two were both in long term relationships prior to their arrival in each others lives, BUT God decided it was time to shake things up. They both joined the dating app Hinge, went on some okay dates with some okay people, but nobody really clicked. James (believe it or not) made the first move, and their first conversation revolved around books (Harry Potter) and baking. If you ask James about the first time he tried to meet Kristen, he'll say she stood him up (lies and deception). But James didn't give up! They decided to meet at a cute pastry shop in Center City one Sunday morning. Kristen thought it would be a good idea to schedule it right after a 24-hour SICU call. In true Kristen fashion...she let James know she'd be running late. Being the patient, sweet soul he is, James offered to order her coffee and pastries so they'd be ready when she arrived. Expecting to leave the hospital no later than 8AM, Kristen's attending made her stay to round the whole morning (and 24 hours became 28 hours). In a near panic, she called James and explained the situation. Instead of getting upset, he offered to bring her treats all the way to the hospital (in NORTH PHILLY; iykyk). He pulled up in his orange Honda Element, in his special green shirt & flannel jacket. She strolled out of the hospital in glasses, dirty scrubs, and dirtier hair. They spent 10 minutes outside on a bench, and made plans for a real 1st date. 2 days later, on Tuesday, October 11th, James took Kristen to Zorba's in Fairmount. They had a great meal (full of garlic) and had easy conversations. Kristen sneakily paid for their dinner, which was only fitting since their first date was also on his BIRTHDAY (a fact she didn't discover until later that night on the rooftop of her building, enjoying each other's company while watching the skyline). They spent the next 2.5 years going through some of the highest highs, and lowest lows. He held her while she cried, and she held him when he froze. He gifted her all the flowers, and she baked him all things lemon. They talked books and movies and all their favorite foods, how much they loved their families, and shared their hopes and regrets and dreams. They made a list of all the places they planned to visit, and all the trains they were going to ride. They forced each other to face their deepest fears, while laughing and smiling more than they ever had. On October 30, 2024, on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Switzerland, James and Kristen took a special cogwheel train up to the Alps to see the Matterhorn. The entire walk up the mountain, James was playing with snow and trying to make the perfect snowball. Kristen thought he was making it just for her to throw off the edge. But THANK THE LORD she didn't, because inside that snowball was a ring. He asked her to marry him on top of that mountain, up in the clouds. And as in every lifetime before, and in every one that will follow it, she said yes.