Alex and CJ matched on the dating app Hinge in 2021 after her divorce and his return from deployment. CJ invited Alex to follow him on Instagram (such a millenial thing to do), but when she saw his military posts she quickly unmatched him! However, they kept in touch over DMs. Time passed, and one night when she had a bit too much wine and tequila with some friends and she asked CJ, "When are you ever going to ask for my number?" From their first date in downtown Seattle at Alex's favorite bars, to their second in Destin, Florida (oops!), to the night they became official on Halloween, they knew they had something special. Alex moved to North Carolina with CJ in Spring of 2022, even though she had never been to the state, and began their new adventure together. They were engaged in Nice, France on June 26, 2025 and eloped on December 21, 2025, so close to her idol's, Ina Garten, wedding date! They are so excited to be able to finally celebrate with the chosen family, relatives and incredible mentors. Thank you for being a part of our story.