We’re getting married!

Let’s travel back to a period in my life I like to refer to as, “Love In The Time of Covid”. After many years of being unlucky in love, 2020 did something I thought was impossible - made dating, and especially online dating, even more miserable. But, with a renewed determination to not die alone, I threw myself back into the dating world which now had expanded to awkward walk dates, meeting people for the 1st time wearing a mask (really putting a whole new spin on a blind date), and the risk of contracting a very contagious virus (which I did, and then super spread to my closest friends - I am still very sorry!!). So by the time I made it to Spring 2021, I was feeling pretty defeated. I decided to make a pilgrimage to visit Bob and Deb in their Nashville bubble to escape Covid and give myself a break from what can only be described as bleak prospects. But fortunately for me, some matchmakers had been conspiring behind the scenes. Months prior, my sister, Allie, was on a wine tasting trip with her husband, Mike, and their friends, Courtney and Pat. Initial sparks flew when they put two and two together that they each had a sibling who was still looking for their special person. When Allie originally tried to set us up, my first question was of the utmost importance - “How old is he?” - and dissatisfied with that he was not even 30 yet I immediately said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” I didn’t consider this set up to be a real possibility and went back to swiping. Flash forward to April 1st, 2021. After partaking in quite a bit of Tennessee whiskey with my parents, I was snuggled up in bed when I got a text from a number I didn't recognize (unbeknownst to me, and thankfully so, Courtney hadn't taken no for an answer and gave Mike my number anyway). From there, I blame fat thumbs for causing an accidental Instagram like (a major faux pas!!) and opening the door for the best intro conversation ever. We continued as pen pals for almost a month, and every day I had the biggest smile on my face and the best feeling about this guy who I had previously written off as a young Marina bro. We finally met for our 1st date at Balboa Cafe in San Francisco (the Marina bro part was true after all) and we talked and laughed for almost 6 hours, not wanting the night to end. When we did part ways, Mike immediately texted to say it was the best 1st date ever and he wanted to do it all over again the next night. Date 2 followed less than 24 hours later and we essentially haven’t left each other's sides since!!