I found myself nervously tapping my foot the whole drive. 10 minutes that felt like a lifetime. The few dating apps I'd been on usually led me to interesting people, but certainly not "The one". This time though, things felt organic, the easy laughs and talk of cats, the getting to know and the late night conversations. It was all so natural... But it was all behind the phone. This time was going to be in person, I had to BE natural.

I told myself not to talk too much, to be a good listener, to ask good questions. As I parked I took a breath, calmed myself and texted her, "I'm here". She was already inside, so I headed towards the restaurant and to the front doors. As I opened the door, I observed the room, scanning to find her. It didn't take long, or maybe it did, but my eyes locked just as hers did. Her Hinge profile didn't prepare me for what she looked like, what is typically an online nightmare of catfishing turned into an online miracle, one where somehow one's beauty in person far outshined what already seemed so perfect online.

I don't know how long I stood there, just staring, mouth agape probably, but something within me willed myself to move, it must have, because moments later, I was standing in front of her, this beautiful woman. She stood up from her seat, a smile on her face that I will never forget, as her lips moved, I swear I didn't hear a thing, but I am pretty sure she said:

"Hi, I'm Tiara!"

That night went wonderfully, and thank God. We continued learning about each other through countless FaceTime sessions, texting and phone calls. At the time, I had no idea we would be where we are now, but I'll tell you what... I knew she was someone whose life I had to be apart of. Tiara was none the wiser I'm sure, so began my intricate plan to woo her.

I took her to the park, we walked, we talked, I TRIED to hold her hand. Tiara swears to me to this day that I refused to hold her hand, but I remember it clear as day: She refused to hold her water bottle in the hand that was opposite of me. I never even had a chance.

Another date I took her out to watch a terrible movie. Not purposefully mind you, but the unfortunate piece of cinema actually lead to a beautiful moment together, enjoying fresh air and getting to put my arm around her shoulder for the first time. She replied with a cautious "this is nice," though I later became aware of the fact that it was indeed "not" nice. Have you ever tried to walk around with your arm around someones shoulder who is only slightly shorter than you? Let me tell you, it's uncomfortable for all parties involved.

Despite the troubles of the last date, I managed another win, a date on the beach! I brought everything for a beautiful night upon the sand: cheese, bread, wine and... Well, I didn't bring EVERYTHING I suppose, a corkscrew would have been extremely helpful. No problem though, I made a quick pit stop on the way and handled the little slip up! Now we were enjoying ourselves and the finer things in life, the beautiful sound of the ocean and two glasses of wine. I'll say I outdid myself here, we shared our first kiss on this date.

Not much time later, I asked her to be my girlfriend. No details needed here. I definitely asked like a normal person and didn't ask in a confusing and convoluted way that was mixed with a hint of nervousness and incoherent babbling. I just said "do you want to be my girlfriend?" That's it. Well, mostly anyway. Asking to be "exclusive" sounds pretty much the same.

Now, I'll skip to living with Tiara, all you need to know is that after quarantining with her during a brief but unfortunate episode of covid, I just never left and she never noticed. I still think she hasn't noticed, so please, don't mention it. Now, Tiara is one of the neatest and cleanest people I know. I am just like her, well minus the neat and clean part. We struggled as we adjusted to each others lifestyles, but where arguments and disagreements were found, there was love and understanding that grew. We quickly became a team of individuals, working to better ourselves for each other. I can't say I know what it looks like all the time, but that there was love.

Now, love grew, love stayed, it encouraged and pushed and it did not stop. All I had to do was be ready to receive it. When my knee went down into the sand and I looked up to meet that beautiful face once again, I was just as much in awe as I had been that first date, but this time, I spoke first, "Will you marry me?". I could hear the sound of the waves crashing onto the sand, the seagulls crying out as they flew towards the sunrise, a small gasp of surprise, but louder than all of this, I heard my heart, it was pounding, as if trying to relay the message itself. I wanted her to know I love her and that I was ready to commit to that love, commit to her for the rest of my life, and a few (not) short moments later... she made it clear she too was ready to commit to that love with a happy and tear filled "yes!".

Time has passed so quickly and so slowly all at the same time. Both Tiara and I enjoy looking back on these memories and I hope you too could enjoy a smile reading about them. We are so excited for the next chapter in our lives and I hope you can join us, wether that be in person or in love and encouragement for our future. However that may be, we appreciate it. I don't know how to end things here, so I'll just say see you later for now!