It all began with a mutual swipe right on a dating app! With 24 hours to respond before the match disappeared, Jen was challenged to make the first move. After exchanging a few brief messages, Mike suggested meeting in person the upcoming week—a forward approach that pleasantly surprised Jen. Our first date was at a quaint Italian restaurant in downtown Falls Church. Over a relaxed meal, we shared our upbringings, our favorite travel stories, and our goals for the future. We talked for nearly two hours before Mike mentioned that he had to wake up very early in the morning (at 3:30am!) for his shift work job the next day. He should have already been in bed by then. Feeling guilty, Jen tried to wrap up the date quickly, but we found ourselves lingering at the restaurant. That night we shared our first kiss. One year after our first date we returned to that restaurant and had another wonderful meal; this has since become a tradition.

For months, we had been planning a trip down to Charlottesville over Columbus Day weekend to visit Jen’s alma mater, the University of Virginia. Jen’s favorite season is autumn, and the University grounds are especially beautiful and vibrant that time of the year. Mike knew that Charlottesville was a special place to Jen and he intended to propose during that weekend getaway. Unbeknownst to Jen, Mike was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Jen’s engagement ring. With each day, the estimated delivery date was pushed back; unfortunately, it would not be delivered until the following week. Mike tried his best to hide his disappointment from Jen, though she sensed that something was amiss. Upon returning from our getaway, Mike suggested making a return trip to Charlottesville in the near future to explore the area’s hiking trails and see the fall foliage since we had not been able to. At Jen’s insistence, we made the trip down to Charlottesville exactly one week later. After taking a tour of the Rotunda, we walked out onto the landing, just in time to see an admissions tour group leaving. As we descended the steps, a group of a girls asked Mike to take a couple photos of them. Little did Jen know, he had secretly asked them to capture the imminent proposal. On bended knee, Mike asked Jen to spend the rest of her life with him. Jen immediately said yes and they embraced, basking in the joy and love they shared. It was a beautiful proposal, and we are forever grateful to our impromptu photographer who captured the perfect moment.