As I turned 33, we were in the thick of the pandemic and I had been working alone from home for over 6 months. I decided to join Hinge just to see what was out there and was pleasantly surprised to come across a profile of a well-traveled, smart, funny man, who promised to make tacos for whoever he dated and whose favorite Christmas movie was “Due Hard” (yup, I found a typo in his dating profile). We instantly connected over our love of food, a desire to explore new places around the world, and ambition of living life to the fullest. After a few weeks of conversation, he finally asked me out on a first date (pre-vaccine) and I thought it had gone terribly. Answers to basic questions, like my favorite movie or what kind of music I liked (you know, all the standard first date questions), were escaping me. Clearly, I was out of the practice of socializing because of the pandemic. Surprisingly, he asked me out on a second date as we were saying goodbye in the parking lot. A few awkward pandemic dates later, I figured out how loving and generous of a human being he is and couldn't believe someone hadn't snatched him up already. I was the best version of myself with him and also the happiest. He has become my biggest cheerleader and best friend - always knowing exactly what I need and I can't imagine my life without him. Have we also had several cringe-worthy moments? Yes, I am marrying an android using, pandora listening (with ads), coffee craving, blue cheese eating man. Nonetheless, I wouldn't have anyone else by my side to travel the world with and build a life with. I couldn’t be happier or more excited to be marrying my soulmate and feel like the luckiest woman in the world. Let’s do this!!!

Around Christmas 2020, I was back in Houston full time after living the past few years in Tempe, AZ. I decided to get back into the dating scene and downloaded Hinge, an app recommended to me by a friend. I'm browsing profiles and all of a sudden, this cute, adventurous girl pops up. In her picture, she's standing in front of a stone fort on the coast of Puerto Rico. Right away, she was speaking to my heart. We begin messaging each other and it leads up to our first date at Hay Merchant (RIP). From the moment I saw her in the parking lot, I was enamored. We went inside, grabbed a drink, and chit chatted for a bit. She was checking all the boxes except one: She's a Spurs fan, BOOOOOO!!!!! We ordered our dinner and for some reason, I decided on Hay Merchant's awesome PB&J wings. I love wings but lets be real, probably not best first date meal to choose. After awkwardly navigating conversation, sticky fingers, and trying not to cover myself in wing sauce, our date came to an end. When I was driving home, I called my sister to wish her a happy birthday. She asked how my date went. I told her it was a great date and rambled on about Triparna. I said I'm hoping for a second date but I don't think she will go out with me again. My sister asked why and I told her about the wings. She laughed at me. Hard. The rest is history. No plate of wings will ever come close to the ones I had that night. Usually, wings come with ranch or bleu cheese. These came with my soon to be wife. I can't really put into words how lucky I am to have met Triparna. She's my muse, my best friend, and my co-pilot. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.