Two years post-college and the majority of my friends were either wifed-up or at the very least in a committed relationship. Then there was me, a bright-eyed and admittedly naïve girl that was looking to meet the one for me, just like in all those Hallmark movies I grew up watching. Well, that was not working, so my friends decided to take matters in their own hands. One night during the summer of 2018, my friends grabbed my phone, downloaded the app, Hinge, on my phone and helped me make an account. I was more than skeptical but told them I would at least give it a try. I sat on it for a few weeks, but then gave it a shot. I met this guy named "Jason M". We matched (swiped right) and talked for a few weeks. You know, like the long texts back and forth making sure not to respond immediately so I wouldn't sound too eager? hahah yeah that was me. Well, we waited almost three weeks before we went on our first date at St. Arnold's Brewery. One of my favorite dates to date! I was very interested in this so-called Jason boy. He was fun, had a great sense of humor, a great listener, polite, great manners, the most kind, and loves Jesus. I was trying to find something wrong with him, so I could easily just bounce, but there didn’t seem to be a thing I could point to. To be honest, I never dated in college, nor after I graduated – I had no clue what I was doing. Despite my internal panic, the date went better than I could imagine. We closed down the brewery and then he drove me home, such a gentleman. He asked me on a second date later that week. The second date was nowhere near as good as the first, but the memory of that first date made me want to get to know Jason more and more. Thankfully, the second date turned into the third, and so forth. I was so wishy-washy, yet Jason still put up with me. He asked me more than once to be his girlfriend before I said yes. And man, am I glad I said YES!

Some of our best friends were getting married in Norway at the end of December 2019, so we, along with some of our friends, decided to make a trip out of it. After all the wedding festivities in Norway, we left for Switzerland. We stayed in Zurich and had the most fun with some of our closest friends. The next day was New Year's Eve and we all decided to go to Lucerne, Switzerland for the day. I went to bed very early the night before, and supposedly Jason talked to everyone saying we are going to the top of Mount Pilatus and I am going to ask her to marry me. I had no idea, nor did I even think he had the ring with him on the trip. Truth be told, I was hopeful that he would propose in Europe, but I really did not think he was going to, and if he was, it was for sure going to be in Paris, France because he is the romantic one in the relationship. So, we got to Lucerne, walked around for a little bit, went to the top of the Mountain in a gondola with everyone and took a few pictures. We walked a little further up to the tip-top, Jason pulled me to the side and started talking. He then said, "I told you a year ago today that I love you, and I meant it then and I mean it now..." I blacked out. Then, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. I said, "Thank you". Obviously, I was in complete shock hahaha! I grabbed him, gave him a big hug and said, "I love you!" We are both so so excited and it couldn't have been a more perfect engagement!

He is the best! Jason cares for others, pays attention to detail, loves his friends well, will drop anything and everything for his friends and family, challenges me, encourages me, and loves to have fun. But, most importantly, he loves Jesus. His love for The Lord is so evident in everything he says and does. He pushes me to be more like Him every day. He made a point to search for a church once he moved to Houston and get plugged into the church. I cannot wait to marry Jason Thomas McCloskey. He loves me well and calls me out when I’m being a brat. November 14, 2020 hurry up already!!!! Like Paris so perfectly said, we met on Hinge. Though I downplayed it at first, I could tell from the second that I met Paris that there was something special about her. From her long red hair (and matching fiery personality) to her beautiful smile, I was smitten. The first date was fantastic, the second a little lackluster, but one thing did stick with me from that date – don’t mess this one up. Thankfully, I’ve yet to do so and get the privilege of continually learning just how special of a person Paris is. In part, she is fun, smart, thoughtful, loving and is selfless when it comes to her time. Above all though, she is the love of my life that keeps me grounded, reminds me of what is truly important in life and is the reason why each day is better than the last. Paris you are a blessing to me daily! I cannot wait to experience all that life will throw at us because I know that with you by my side, we can overcome it all. November cannot get here soon enough!