I truly only met Walker because of a dare. I had sworn off dating for a while to focus on finishing school and getting a job for after I graduated. In early March 2025, I visited some of my friends in Gainesville during my spring break. One of my best friends, Abby, was recently engaged and didn't seem to be on board with my "no dating" plan. She decided to dare our friend Kayla and me to go on one date in the month of March. If we failed, she would get to set us up with someone of her choosing in April. One thing about me, I love a good challenge. Also, one date sounded so easy. That night, I downloaded the dating app Hinge and very quickly matched with this guy named Walker. We exchanged a few messages before he asked me out to dinner and I had my one and only date scheduled to complete the dare (so easy). Walker and I exchanged a few messages through the app over the next week or so leading up to our date. I could tell he was a good guy, but I didn't really know what to expect. I showed up about 10 minutes late to Olivia for our dinner reservations (great first impression, I know), so Walker was already seated when I walked in. As the hostess led me to the table, all I could think was, "wow, he's really cute in person." We then proceeded to talk for the next 3 hours. I had never met anyone that I got along with so naturally and so instantly. Every day since, it has become clearer and clearer to me that God brought us together at the exact time we both needed it and I will forever be so grateful that I accepted that Hinge date dare.

We all know how online dating goes: download an app, go on some dates, have some terrible experiences, get the ick, delete the app, wait two or three months, and then repeat the cycle. I couldn’t wait to get started. I had dating apps for a little before I matched with Presley, but I never went on any dates because either no one matched with me, or I couldn’t find anyone with good chemistry. So, when I sent Presley a like and a comment at 10:45 p.m. on a Friday, I had no expectations. All I knew was she had an interesting profile, seemed genuine, and had a beautiful smile. What’s not to like? Little did I know, she’d respond within an hour, and the conversation would never stop. Presley was interesting, engaging, and asked thoughtful questions. I found myself looking forward to her texts, and I wanted to take her on a date, but I was leaving for the Bahamas with my family. The day before I left, I went ahead and secured a reservation at Olivia in downtown St. Pete. I had always wanted to try the restaurant but hadn’t had the chance. Dinner dates aren’t normally a go-to for the first date because they can be a time commitment, but I figured at the very least I could get a good meal out of the deal. I asked Presley if she would like to go out with me, and thankfully she said yes, even though my reservation wasn’t until a week and a half later. Presley and I continued talking while I traveled, and I kept getting more and more excited about our date. Presley was charming, interesting, smart, driven, and moving to the area. Everything was lining up, and she was nothing but green flags. I remember arriving at the restaurant for our date, and Presley showed up a few minutes later and looked beautiful. When she sat down, we started talking and didn’t stop for the next three hours. Conversation came easily. We asked each other questions, and there was never a lull. Even on that first date, it was clear our lives were lining up in too many ways for it to be a coincidence. This was something special. We met at the perfect time, and God clearly put us where we were supposed to be at exactly the right moment. I can safely say that date was the first, best, and last online date I’ll ever go on. I love you, Presley.