We are one of those couples that met through a dating app. Before you turn your nose up, I am so glad I downloaded it being new to Memphis and not knowing many people. Ultimately it led me to Erin and I am so thankful. After matching, we talked for quite a few days before meeting up for a first date. I was so nervous even though I was already having so much fun talking with her over the phone. We decided to meet up over some pizza and just feel it out with some conversation. It was kind of a chilly night and I was waiting outside in jeans, a baja hoodie, and my ACU army hat (quite the look, let me tell you.) After a few minutes Erin walked up, more beautiful than I could have imagined. She always takes the best photos but looking at her eyes in person just captivated me. Memphis Pizza Café was the place to be that night to experience my awkward blabbing about anything I could think of. We barely touched the pizza we ordered to share and just got lost being there together. I felt bad because I dominated the conversation but I just couldn’t stop talking. I wanted her to know everything about me and vice versa. Eventually our meal ended and I walked her to her car. I fought the urge to reach out and grab her hand by pointing out all the things in Midtown I had never seen, desperately trying to keep my racing mind and heart in check. Eventually we got to her car, and it was time to say goodnight. Reluctantly, I let her head home but I really just wanted to explore more of that crisp night together. That night ended with me walking back to my car on cloud nine, wondering about the journey to come for the two of us. I was so happy. Still am. I will always remember going to work the next day and talking to my friend about the date and how pretty I thought Erin was. It is the only time I can remember just being so giddy about someone that I wanted to talk about her like a high school crush. That pizza place, and that night will always be in my memory and my heart.

As I reached for the last bottle of Beano on the shelf, he did too. Our hands met and fireworks sparked. Suddenly my world was shiny, happy, colorful and I knew from that point on there could Beano me without him. Okay, that’s not true. Fibbing about a grocery store meet cute is a running joke amongst online daters, embarrassed they couldn’t find love the “natural” way. But I love our story so here’s the real low down: After some encouragement from some work friends, I decided to get on Bumble just to “take a look and maybe flirt a little.” A few days and a lot of weirdos in, I swiped right on Ty and we matched! Feeling a little timid, I didn’t say hello until my twenty four hours were almost up (on Bumble the guy can’t message first. Yay feminism!) He replied almost immediately. Chatting with him came so easy and after about a week we decided to go out for pizza. We met up at Memphis Pizza Cafe and found a booth out of the way. I’m sure we ordered a pizza but I can’t remember eating any of it. We were instantly lost in conversation. I remember searching the walls at some point for a clock thinking about how bad the waitress must hate us for staying so long. Instead, she shot me a grin and winked as if to tell me to quit worrying and enjoy our first date. Bless her for confirming what I was thinking. This was special. After dinner, Ty walked me to my car and said goodnight. I couldn’t stop smiling on my drive home. I was smitten already. When I got back, I opened my phone to a text that said “I should have held your hand and kissed you.” Butterflies hit my stomach hard and I knew my “just for fun” Bumble dating had quickly ended and we were about to embark on our adventure together.

I love Erin with my whole heart, and have known for a long time now that she is the person I want to be with always. After nearly a year of dreaming about marrying her, I decided to put things into motion. I ordered a ring and planned out a proposal during our trip to Shell Island with her family in August. Well, days later Erin casually mentioned that after all my joking in Texas, her family thought I was gonna pop the question in Florida. I was crushed inside! I had all these ideas and now she would be expecting everything! Back to the drawing board right as I got her ring in the mail! Instantly it was burning a hole in my pocket. I had to show her how much she means to me, no more waiting. Right about that time, Erin lined up a job in Panama City and we would have to get her down there over the 4th of July holiday. I took it as a sign from the universe. Erin and I love watching fireworks together. Our first 4th standing under them is when I knew I loved her and we haven't missed a show since. Oh my goodness! Forget the island, I want to ask her under the fireworks! It was all I could think about for days. When it finally came time, I was so excited that I was dropping hints all over the place. I'm still surprised Erin didn't catch on. When night fell, off to the pier we went, with a shiny ring in tow. I kept putting my hand in my pocket while we were waiting, worried I was going to lose it! My anxiety just kept climbing and then BOOM! The first firework went off and my heart was RACING! Why am I so nervous? She's not going to say no! Relax Ty! BOOM! Another firework, and another, and another. It felt like they were going off in my heart! I couldn't wait anymore. Erin was so wrapped up in the show, she didn't notice when I got down on my knee. When she finally looked over, she thought I was joking! But then she saw the ring and as I told her I love her and asked her to marry me she said yes. Then I held her and told her all the reasons why I want to marry her.

A few months into dating, we were out eating pizza and joking about how cheesy it is when guys put rings in food for a proposal. Ty joked that he was going to use stuffed crust pizza to propose for extra cheesiness and we laughed so hard people stared. We still love talking about cheesy proposals and joking about stuffed crust. While on our trip to Texas in May, I got a few texts asking if I got new bling at Magnolia Market! It made our list of cheesy proposals immediately! Ty found it so funny that the rest of the trip he'd locate beautiful spots and say “Oh babe, this place is just so magical!" Then he would kneel down and pause, only to tie his shoe or pick something off the ground or stare at me and chuckle. It was really funny, and only slightly embarrassing. A few weeks later, we headed to Florida to get me settled for a new job. We had a delightfully low key Fourth of July at the beach together talking about the fireworks and shell hunting. For dinner, I wanted seafood but Ty insisted on having pizza. Unable to sway me, Ty compromised and we had separate takeout meals. When it started to get dark, Ty rushed me out of the hotel to the pier. He was more hurried than usual but I thought he was just excited about fireworks. After finding the perfect spot he calmed down a little and we watched the show together. Right as the finale started, I heard people saying "aww" from somewhere behind me. I looked over and saw Ty down on one knee. My immediate reaction was “STOP” and I motioned frantically for him to stand up. I just knew this was another fake out. But then I saw the ring and heard him saying “Will you marry me?” and I froze. I cried the whole way back to the car because I felt I had ruined it and couldn't even remember saying yes. When we got to the car he got back down on one knee and did the whole proposal over again. I said yes for sure that time! Later that night, we got out leftover pizza out to snack on and I realized he had ordered stuffed crust!