It's July of 2020 and the world is slowly beginning to feel "normal" after the pandemic. Stores, bars and restaurants are starting to open, as was our idea on beginning to date. Hays and I met on a dating app and began chatting. I initiated the conversation with a witty one-liner and much to my surprise, Hays responded with something even more witty -- I met my match. After a few days of chatting, Hays informs me he lives in Vegas and would be leaving in a few days... so I thought we'd never meet and told him to take care. However, over the next few months, we stayed in touch and Hays came back to Colorado for a trip in September. He asked to meet me for a drink, and of course, I said yes. I pull up to the restaurant and notice he is parked in front of me. He gets out of the car and I roll down my window to catcall him, thinking it would be a funny way to break the ice. Much to my surprise, he just kept walking and didn't even turn around!! He later told me he didn't hear anything and was too focused on the napkin he had in his pocket that he needed to throw away. After a few minutes, I got out of the car and went inside the bar to meet him, hoping that conversation would flow as easily as it had over the past few months via text. Not only was the conversation great, it was the best first date I had ever been on. After a drink or two at the bar, Hays let me know he had more plans for us, which involved a cooler in his car and heading up to Red Rocks. Now, I know what you're thinking because I also watch Dateline, why did you get in a car with a stranger on a first date? He had seltzers and I love a mango Whiteclaw, so I hopped in and up to Red Rocks we went. We wandered around, cracking jokes and laughing nonstop, sipping on said Whiteclaws. After a few hours, he walked me to my car, gave me a lil smooch and asked if I'd want to go on another date in two days and I immediately said yes. The second date went just as well as the first and I was bummed to learn he had to go back to Vegas the next day. However, a few days later, we were texting and we both brought up the idea of me flying out to visit and spend more time with him. I have never purchased a flight faster than I did that day. After a long weekend in Vegas in October, Hays and I knew we had something special and wanted to be together. Over the next few months, Hays flew back and forth between Vegas and Denver to spend weeks and weekends together. We constantly talk about how lucky we are to have found each other and how we can't wait to be married and be each other's partners for life. We both know we have a life filled with love, adventure, and A LOT of laughter ahead of us!!