We matched on Hinge and met for lunch a few days later. He was coming out of a 10 year relationship and I had dated a few people along the way. We both knew what we wanted and what we didn’t and were honest about it from the start. There was an easy clarity between us like nothing needed to be forced or figured out. We just kept choosing each other after that first lunch never stopped dating and a year later we were married.

Towards the beginning of our relationship, we took a road trip to a local beach and ended up getting stormed in. Instead of it ruining the plans, it became the best part of the trip. We spent the weekend talking for hours, watching movies, playing games, and just enjoying each other’s company. It felt like we really got to know each other in those slow, unexpected moments, and it was so much fun and so easy with him.

We’d use it to get fully set up for a more peaceful future. First, we’d pay off our remaining debt so we can breathe a little easier and move forward with a clean slate. Then we’d take a trip to Italy, slow mornings, great food, wandering new cities, and time to really soak it all in together and celebrate how far we’ve come.