It all began the same way many couples of a certain age do: the seemingly endless void that is modern dating apps. A world of endless swiping, fruitless messaging, and painful first dates -- until it isn't. Our individual profiles showed how much we had in common: both middle school teachers, hiking lovers, New York Giants fans, and brewery junkies. Zak messaged first, and we quickly set up our first date at Big Alice Brewing in Long Island City (Rest in Peace). It went well, so well in fact that before we parted ways, we had set up date number 2 for two nights later. The next month was a whirl of holiday season dates until establishing ourselves as an official couple just after the New Year. In the summer of 2023, we went on an intense 16 day roadtrip to Idaho and back to visit national parks and breweries. It was truly the easiest and best trip for both of us. By the time we reached Idaho, we decided to move in together that fall. Moving in, like the trip, was, and continues to be, the easiest experience of our lives. Zak proposed on Easter / Courtney's birthday in Nashville. Unfortunately, the ring had not yet arrived, or had it? Although it still said "preparing to ship" it was there in the mailbox. We had no idea how long it had been there: we have one mail key, it's on Courtney's key ring, and she only sporadically checks the mail. Zak presented it to her in her pajamas with her retainer in. Turns out, it was delivered the day before we left on our trip. Oops.