Our story started the way many modern love stories do: on Hinge. Alexander's opening line wasn't about Taylor: it was about her cat. After commenting on how cute her cat was, the conversation began, and neither of us knew it would lead us here. Our first date was at Coneflower for ice cream in February 2024. Taylor made a memorable first impression by immediately dropping a spoonful of ice cream on herself. Somehow, Alexander still agreed to see her again. We went to brunch the very next day and have been together ever since. Just a few weeks into our relationship, Alexander sent Taylor a text that said, "You know, I'm going to make you fall in love with me." Whether it was confidence, determination, or a little bit of both, it worked. Taylor likes to say she was his from that moment on. For Alexander, the moment he knew he was in love came after Taylor returned from a trip to visit her family. The relief and happiness he felt seeing her again made him realize just how much she meant to him. One of the things we love most about our relationship is how easy it has always felt. We laugh constantly, support one another through life's ups and downs, and genuinely enjoy doing everyday life together. In May 2024, Taylor met Alexander's son, Oliver, and they have been best friends ever since. Whether they're baking something delicious, teasing each other, or getting into a little harmless mischief, the two of them have formed a special bond that means the world to both of us. Our family has also grown quite a bit. We now share our home with four beloved animals: Loki, our black lab; Emma, our German Shorthaired Pointer; and our two cats, Iggy and Marshmallow. Between the pets, Oliver’s extra curricula’s, and our shared love of good food, our house is rarely quiet, but it's always full of love. On July 5, 2025, Alexander decided it was time for the next chapter. While we were shooting off fireworks in our driveway, he got down on one knee and asked Taylor to marry him. It was a perfectly us proposal; simple, joyful, a little unexpected, and surrounded by the life we've built together. The sweetest reaction came from Oliver. For days afterward, he proudly told anyone who would listen, "We are marrying Taylor." In many ways, he was right. From the beginning, this has been about becoming a family, and that moment captured exactly what this journey means to all of us. What started with a comment about a cat has become the greatest adventure of our lives. We are so grateful for every moment that brought us here, and we can't wait to celebrate the next chapter surrounded by all of our favorite people.