We met as many millenials do- on the online dating app, Bumble. Neither of us were thrilled about the prospect of online dating, but we both did it anyway. It took us a while to meet in person after matching- Emily ended up with COVID, and Ryan was about to go to New Hampshire for Christmas with his family. We first met December 28, 2021, our first date was the Van Gogh Experience (an immersive art exhibit), followed by dinner and drinks at an Irish pub nearby. We bonded over our mutual love of Lord of the Rings, his tales of living in Alaska, and her stories of SCUBA diving. The night ended without even a hug, so Emily figured she wouldn't hear from him again. To her delight, he was messaging her later that night! And the rest is history!