How we met...On a dating app! 🐝📱 I saw that we had "matched" but at that point was pretty jaded with the apps and didn't initially respond. The match expired after 24 hours so Chawn used his one "extension" to get another 24 hours. I was intrigued when I noticed that and within the last hour decided to give it a go. We messaged for several hours that day/evening and were so mutually interested that we decided to meet in person the very next day - despite the fact that I lived in Richmond and he lived in Stafford (and it was a Tuesday 😂)! We met for dinner in Fredericksburg and the conversation quickly delved into topics as deep as family values and social issues. Chawn knew exactly what he was looking for, while I was still on the fence about a serious relationship. We both walked away knowing we were attracted to the other but skeptical about our compatibility. I'm a social butterfly; he's an introvert. I am very outspoken; he's low-key and quiet. He's very organized and orderly; I'm...not 😆. He's in law enforcement; I'm a defense attorney. One of our most heated discussions that night was over no-knock warrants! 😂 But - we each knew SOMETHING was there...so we kept getting to know each other...and the more we did, the more we realized that our differences actually complemented the other and that we were completely aligned on the big things, like kindness, taking care of family, and a desire to make a positive impact in the world. After that first date, we quickly got to the point where we were figuring out a way to see each other every few days, despite the distance, kids and crazy work schedules. We took a spontaneous trip to one of my favorite cities, Tampa/Clearwater Beach, within just a few weeks of meeting. As he patiently accompanied me while I shopped and chatted with vendors on the pier as the sun set, I knew he was a keeper! 😀 🌅 In January of 2023, Chawn had to go to Missouri for military training for several weeks. Being apart from each other for so long was the eye-opener that made us realize that we wanted to come home to each other every day. Chawn put in for a transfer and we were both shocked and elated when it was approved! We blended homes and living together confirmed to us both that we not only were very much in love, but we actually made a really great team! So we decided to be teammates for life. 🥰 Chawn likes to point out that he'd never extended time on a dating app match before, and that if he hadn't done so then, we never would've met. I think about that a lot. We lived in different cities, didn't have similar social circles, and likely would never have randomly crossed paths. We were so close to never knowing the other existed...and now neither of us can imagine not being with the other. Life is so full of the unexpected, the unlikely, the unknown. Every day we feel so grateful for the fact that we somehow found each other, right when we needed the other. And we are so glad you all are a part of our story, too!