After too many disastrous dating app dates, my mom gifted me a Match.com subscription, where I became Shane’s very first match. Our first date was a beautiful spring day spent strolling the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., fishing poles in tow. We laughed, talked for hours, and when I caught a fish, Shane swears that’s when he knew—I didn’t just catch a fish that day, I caught his heart.

The proposal. During our long-distance years, we stayed connected over a zombie survival game, building bases and talking for hours. Shane secretly built a hidden base with “Will you marry me?” on the wall, surrounded by flowers and candles. As I dropped into the room in-game, he dropped to one knee in real life and pulled out the ring. I was so shocked, I think my brain actually broke.

We’d return to the Maldives, the first place we reunited after I moved abroad. Despite COVID challenges and being worlds apart, we met in the middle. It was no-frills just naps on the beach, spotting ocean life, and finally unwinding. The world faded, time slowed, no stress, no work, just love, laughter, and the joy of being in each other’s arms again. We’d love to find that peace once more.