We are so happy you are here!

Our story begins when two accountants, who would normally not join a dating app, were in busy season and a global pandemic in their twenties, and thought...I can do something about this. While I had to be convinced (thanks, Reed), both Parker and I joined Hinge (yes, the app designed to be deleted) in early 2021. After a few weeks of weirdo after weirdo reaching out on Hinge, I was surprised to see a comment on one of my profile's pictures that said "shoutout RUF". Hmmm...interesting. One of the "theological tests" planted in my profile was posting a picture where I am wearing an RUF sweatshirt, I considered it a good sign if someone knew what RUF stands for (Reformed University Fellowship), rather than just barking in response. Anyways, Parker was the one who left that comment and since he passed the test, I started scrolling through his profile... Cute? Check Seems fun? Check (you should have seen the video of him dancing that he posted) Accountant? Check? Cheesy pick up line? CHECK ("I like accounting. Would you like to be the debit to my credit?", whatta cutie) So I immediately texted Reed his profile and asked, "do we like?". She saw that he was essentially the male version of me and quickly responded with "YES WE LIKE", so we started chatting on Hinge. After only a few days of messaging on Hinge, Parker asked me out on a date. He asked me to a brewery in Norcross. So sweet of him to come up to Norcross from Atlanta, but I don't drink beer...all good though. He was cute and sweet enough to go anyways. April 3, 2021 arrives and I am SO nervous. This was my first date in awhile and he seemed so smart, funny, and sweet. I did NOT want to blow this. Naturally, I underestimated traffic and ended up being 5-10 minutes late to our date (and boy, does Parker not let me forget it). We met at Cultivation Brewery for a drink (beer for Parker and delish La Croix for me). I will never forget getting lost in conversation and those beautiful blue eyes of Parker's. After an hour of me talking his ear off, Parker said that he had to head out and build a gun with a friend (very manly), so that was the end of our first date and how we met!

I knew Sydney would just love a flash mob or jumbotron proposal. But my jumbotron guy was on vacation. So plan B: Piedmont Park Picnic Proposal (Dope alliteration. I know) I chose Piedmont because it is a great spacious park with a beautiful backdrop of midtown Atlanta. Once I set the date, got approval from her dad (and all of her friends), it was time to set the trap... I mean finalize the plans. Now, if you know Sydney, you know she is smart, beautiful, cunning, beautiful, has the recollection of an elephant, and is beautiful. So I had to be clever. As winter began to thaw, we discussed possible date ideas for warmer weather. Some of my suggestions: kayaking, hiking, picnic. Just setting the foundation. I bought a couples "Adventure Challenge" date book. This had a bunch of fun mystery scratch-off date ideas. The weekend before the proposal Sydney had the honor of selecting our first scratch-off date. Blind pie-making - it was fun. Then came next week, my turn to choose. So naturally, I just google which of these scratch-off dates is a picnic date and boom. "oh neat, Syd, looks like were going on a picnic." I also booked a flight to DC, "to visit some friends". In Sydney's mind, "Flight to DC? a few weeks after his sister's wedding? During Cherry Blossom season?". Seemed a little too obvious. Since there was no way I could throw something together by this weekend, it had to be happening in DC. We bought a picnic basket that week in preparation for our picnic date that Saturday. Sydney decorated the basket while I secretly arranged for my friend, Ben, to fly down and capture the moment on camera. Saturday arrives and the weather is just fine. I pick Sydney up and have to convince her to set work down (busy season. blegh.) and hop in the truck. We got a schedule to keep, girl. Ben drops a pin of the general location and also even places a stick in the ground as the "marker" for the spot to drop the knee. So we arrive at Piedmont and set our picnic up and enjoy a nice lunch together. It was sweet. Then it was time. I take Sydney's hand and lead her to the general spot on top of a hill. I tell her to look at the buildings as I desperately look for a stick poking out of the ground. No stick, but there is a dog.... I spot Ben and give him a shrug. Then I receive his text, "Now". That's my cue and I drop to my knee. She said "Yes" 👍