Alarie and Wes met on Hinge at the end of November 2023, both initially downloading the app as a joke with friends, not expecting anything serious to come from it. Wes's first message to Alarie was, "One time I crawled into a sewer drain to get a basketball. Nearly died." It wasn’t the typical romantic line, but it definitely caught Alarie’s attention.

Shortly after their first exchange, they decided to meet in person on December 1, 2023. For their first date, Wes took Alarie to the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, knowing she would appreciate it after she had shared a video of the Van Gogh exhibit she visited in Dallas, Texas. They walked through the museum, and Wes’s curiosity about a tire tread art piece led to a memorable moment. Afterward, they got in trouble for standing too close to the art, so they decided to continue their date elsewhere.

The next stop was Barnes & Noble, where they spent time browsing through various books, including a surprising find—the Minecraft Bible. Following that, they attempted to dine at several restaurants, but after encountering long wait times, they opted for Chick-Fil-A. Enjoying their meal in the parking lot, they shared stories and laughed over downing entire packets of sauce—ranch for Alarie and Chick-Fil-A sauce for Wes, which he later regretted.

The very next day, Wes asked Alarie if she wanted to hang out again. Although she was planning to visit her family, she jokingly invited Wes to join, and to her surprise, he agreed. Her parents adored him instantly. Shortly after, Alarie met Wes’s parents before attending one of his friend’s weddings. Just a week after meeting, Wes asked Alarie to be his girlfriend, marking the beginning of their deepening connection. They quickly realized that their meeting was no coincidence; they believed God had brought them together for a reason.

On July 20th, 2024, Wes proposed in a way that reflected their unique love story. Alarie was driven, without knowing what was planned, to the Museum of Fine Arts by her best friend. There, Wes’s sister, Caroline, greeted her with a gift: the program from their first date, a London Lego set, and a heartfelt note from Wes. This was followed by stops at Chick-Fil-A and Target, where more gifts awaited—a meal and The Butt Book. The final destination was Barnes & Noble, where Alarie received the Minecraft Bible and another note. The journey concluded at the overlook on Petit Jean Mountain. As soon as they arrived, Alarie knew what was happening. She saw Wes and their entire family, and he then guided her to the spot where he proposed. They got engaged surrounded by loved ones, in front of God’s beautiful creation.

Wes brought a new light into Alarie’s life, inspiring her to become the best version of herself, and she did the same for him. Their relationship is built on a deep love, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to grow together as God intended. They are incredibly grateful for each other and look forward to a future filled with love and adventure. With hearts full of joy, they can't wait to celebrate their special day surrounded by the people they love. See you in April!