I created my profile on Hinge a few days before I matched with Patrick. I couldn't tell you what made me choose that app on that day. I wasn't looking for anything really. I thought he was cute (still do). I double tapped, or swiped right, responded to one of the conversation prompts and went about my day. I couldn't tell you what those first few conversations were about but we quickly transitioned from the app to texting. The first text came through June 19th and the conversation flowed effortlessly. Three days later an unexpected gap in our schedules allowed us to meet in person for the first time. I was nervous. I don't get nervous. We agreed to meet at a board game café at 7pm. He was early, I was....not. I remember walking in and hearing Taylor Swift's Blank Space playing throughout the bar and laughing because it was more than a bit on the nose. There was nothing new about this meeting. Yes, it was the first time we had met, but when I walked into those arms it felt more like "welcome home, I've missed you," than "nice to meet you." That's when I knew that I was in trouble. Hours later we walked out of an otherwise empty bar and in to the warm June air. It was the most perfect first date and he was a welcome breath of fresh air. We've road tripped, we joined families, we've traveled internationally . We've lived a lot in the time that we've been together and I can't wait to see what our future holds. He proposed on Valentine's Day 2024. I've never seen someone so nervous to ask a question that they already knew the answer to. I will never forget the look on his face when I said yes. I will also never forget how many of my friends are apparently CIA level secret keepers. So many of you have enjoyed this ride with us and I am so excited and honored for us to be able to throw this party for all of you to get together and talk about how gross we are. There will be laughter, there will be tears, happy of course, there will be dancing, cake, and an open bar. We hope to see you all there

After weeks of little to no luck on dating apps, I was scrolling through Hinge and stumbled across this 10/10 cutie patootie's profile. I saw that she mentioned board games and made a comment thinking there's no way she would match back. She did. After some back-and-forth on the app, I took a chance and asked her out to a board game bar. To my shock, she said yes. I don't know who showed up to that date that night wearing my clothes and using my voice, but I'm still not convinced it was me. After that first hug I felt like I already knew this woman. After the first kiss I knew I was in danger. Before I knew it, it was well past midnight and a none-too-pleased bartender was asking us politely, yet firmly, to leave. Then came more dates. The movies. My dear friend Sierra's wedding. Nashville. "I miss you" texts the moment we were out of each other's sight. Camping. I had hardly blinked and we were in Costa Rica, where I knew for sure that I never wanted to dream of a day without this woman by my side. I proposed on Valentine's Day with shaky hands, despite knowing full well what her answer would be. I spend every day with my best friend and cannot wait to have her as my wife, or to share this wonderful day with all of you. Bring some tissues.