Like most modern love stories, ours started online. On Hinge to be exact. After a year of searching and meeting people, I was ready to take a break and just pray that the right person would just appear in front of me. And further, that it would be clear to me when that happened. When MaKayla and I matched the day after my birthday, it felt promising from the start. We quickly hit it off talking about our mutual quirks and experiences like having an ‘emotional support water bottle’ and passing out after running races. Fast forward two weeks, and MaKayla couldn’t wait any longer for me to make the first move and planned the first date, a New Year’s Day hike in Wausau. Per usual, I showed up fifteen minutes early, 8/10 on the nervousness scale, yet optimistic. Almost two hours flew by and there wasn’t a second that lacked honest and interesting conversation. The connection was immediate and clear. After leaving I hoped she felt the same way and wanted a second date. I didn’t have to wait too long before she texted confirming just that. Flash forward a week and we were talking till the owner kicked us out of a pizza spot in Neenah after ice skating. Since then, our connection has gotten stronger through a summer of concerts, sunset walks, time with family and friends, ice cream dates, and late night conversation. All bookended with a backcountry backpacking trip when she said yes to a lifetime of adventures as one.

As overplayed and cliche as the saying is, you truly “know when you know”. From the first date on, MaKayla’s honesty, kindness, love for friends and family, and faith, has inspired and encouraged the best parts of me to show through. We are both unbelievably blessed with family and friends that are as excited for our future as we are.

A wise friend once told me while giving me advice on dating, “ you have to look for someone who matches your cupcake list”. This list contains subsets:

1) Base ingredients: list of things that are essential to make a cupcake; including flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs. These are things that are “must haves” in a person.

2) The frosting: this list includes important things to make the cupcake sweeter. This could include hobbies, career, passions, and generally things that are important, but not essential in a partner.

3) Toppings, sprinkles, and “the cherry on top”: These are things that you’re looking for in a person to be your “perfect match.” Not many people have this, however, it's the “feels too good to be true” factor that makes one confident in dating and committing their lives to this person.

Aaron and I first “matched” on Hinge, December 17th, one day after him turning 25 when he showed up in my pool of eligible bachelors. We quickly bonded over our *emotional support water bottles*, running, music, and being outdoors. I quickly put his sincerity to the test by inviting him skiing with my friends, and after that we swiftly grew more comfortable and an important part of each other's lives. Not only did I fall in love with Aaron but also his family, friends, and faith. I’m so happy to have found my “perfect cupcake” in Aaron with way more toppings, sprinkles, and “cherries on top” than I ever could have prayed for.