It all started in March of 2020 on a dating app called Tinder.. First, some background information: Joshua, in March of 2020, just got out of a serious relationship with a rocky ending and wanted to get back into the dating game. Caitlin, at the same time, hadn't been in a relationship for over 2 years and was just about done with dating apps, due to them not working out and leading to really bad dates. Joshua and Caitlin matched on Tinder and Josh decided to message Caitlin first (brownie points). She wasn't super interested considering her past experience on dating apps but he seemed like a genuine guy and had a sense of humor which she liked. He asked her on a date on a sunny Sunday afternoon to Castle Island and said she could bring her golden retriever Nala if she wanted. (That definitely won Joshua some more brownie points.) They went on their first date, enjoyed each others company, and then BOOM. Pandemic hit. The pandemic didn't stop them from getting to know each other. They continued to go on dates consisting of eating Mexican food in the kitchen of Joshuas home of Whitman, MA. They also frequented trips to Nantasket Beach to go for walks along the ocean. On March 18th, Joshua asked Caitlin to be his girlfriend. She gladly said yes. Then... their dating came to a halt when Joshua decided to enlist in the United States Army in July 2020. Enlisting in the military was something Josh always dreamed of doing and decided to make the dream a reality. Caitlin knew this meant their relationship was going to go in one of two directions: ending before it started or long distance. Joshua didn't want to put Caitlin through that, knowing he was going to be putting his main focus into the Army. Caitlin wasnt about to let him push her away and give up on what she knew they had. She knew she developed real feelings for him and couldn't let that go. The day before Joshua left for Basic Training, Caitlin mumbled into Joshuas chest as they were saying goodbye "I love you" for the first time. Plot twist: he didnt hear her. Caitlin, being the awkward/shy person that she is, didn't repeat what she said and instead texted it to him later. Joshua didn't say it back at the time as he had been guarded from his past relationship. Two weeks into Basic Training, Caitlin received a text one morning from Joshua when he had his phone. It said "I do love you". Caitlin was over the moon with happiness and relief. From then until December 2020, they wrote each other over 100 love letters and spoke on the phone any chance they could get, even if it was only for a minute. Joshua came home from Basic Training on his Holiday Block Leave during Christmas time. Caitlin and him were inseparable and their love grew even stronger, making it even harder for him to go back to training. He completed his training in Georgia and ended up getting stationed in NY (MUCH CLOSER!) in March 2021. Joshua drove back to MA as frequently as possible to see Caitlin and only proving more and more how much he truly loves her and couldnt be without her. On July 2nd, Joshua asked Caitlin to marry him at Cafe Tosca in Hingham, MA as they went out to dinner. Spoiler alert: She said yes! Days later, since Joshua was too awkward and nervous to get down on one knee the first time or even utter the words "will you marry me?", Caitlin made him do the whole proposal again at Tosca Restaurant and everyone in the restaurant cheered and clapped for them. It definitely made a funny story to tell to family and friends. They eloped in August 2021 to make their lives one, moved in together in September 2021 and are currently living in Upstate NY with their Bernese Mountain Dog, Freyja. Caitlin and Joshua had not known each other for that long before dating and falling in love. However, it became obvious to everyone they knew how real their love is and how they were meant to be forever and always.