Our love story began on Bumble back in 2017. We were interested in each other, but life had other plans, and after messaging back and forth for a few weeks, our schedules just didn’t cooperate. Fast forward to 2019, when the universe gave us another nudge. Nate popped up in Annie’s Instagram suggestions (thanks, algorithm!), and she followed him on her teacher account. We even became Facebook friends, but still, we didn’t actually meet. It wasn’t until April 2021, when the world began to reopen, that the stars aligned. After getting vaccinated and ready to be out in the world again, we matched on Bumble… again. Determined not to miss this third chance, we set up a date at the Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral. We strolled through the spring blooms, wandered forest paths, and chatted on benches—at what Nate insists was a socially distanced six feet apart, thanks to Annie’s overly cautious seating preferences. From there, we went on more outdoor dates and soon became a couple. Over the next few months, we expanded our date spots to include some indoor options around DC, eventually adding weekend trips to New York and Pennsylvania into the mix. Since then, we’ve been lucky enough to branch out further- to England, Ireland, and Scotland, along with the west coast and the southwest. Our trips have been filled with everything we both love: discovering new things, tasting incredible food, and spending time with family and friends. Then came our trip last August to Florence, Italy. After a week of indulging in gelato (daily, because of the heat), making and eating pasta, soaking in music on the Ponte Vecchio, and marveling at historic works of art, Nate casually suggested we head out for “drinks.” Annie was slightly confused as Nate walked uncharacteristically slowly, frequently checking the map on his phone. Eventually, he led them to a nondescript apartment building on a quiet side street. The elevator ride in this unassuming building opened onto a private rooftop with a breathtaking view of the Duomo. With thoughtful nods to family and history, Nate got down on one knee and proposed. Annie said yes—and the rest is history…and our future!