2020. Oklahoma. Hot and humid, not unusual for Oklahoma during the summer.

Mark and Alex had matched on Hinge; after talking for a few days, Mark decided it was time to meet in person. The date took place on a Wednesday in Norman, Oklahoma at a quaint little spot known as "The Library" (no, don't worry, we may enjoy reading but it was actually a bar with outdoor seating). After talking for a bit and finding out both enjoyed South Park, Alex asked the question that locked in a second date-"red or green?". While both enjoy red chile, it was agreed that green chile takes the cake (please note that Mark prefers "Colorado green chile" while Alex is more traditional and believes that New Mexico green chile is the best and truly the only way to go).

Over the next few weeks, Alex and Mark began spending more time together and discovering additional commonalities. Kota and Ralphie, the pets, were introduced. Pool days, watching Yellowstone, golf-these kept the two busy.

Come September, it appeared that this flourishing Hinge couple was on the right track-until Alex realized she had to tell Mark something that could change the course of the relationship: she was a die-hard UGA fan, and when she watched Georgia football, there was no telling what could happen. Yelling, screaming, crying, punching the back of the couch, she knew that this was something that many would be embarrassed to find out...but not Mark. Mark is a CU alum and diehard fan. The aforementioned behaviors were also applicable to him. After this revelation, the weekends were for football (and whatever other stuff they deemed fit so long as both could watch their teams play). With all this being said, 2020 was neither Georgia nor Colorado's year. Alex was at home in Florida with her parents when she got a text from Mark asking if she would want to go to San Antonio to see CU play Texas in the Alamo Bowl and meet his parents. She agreed and the two drove down to San Antonio to watch the Buffs play; while CU may not have won, they gained another fan in Alex.

2021. Oklahoma-ish.

With football season being over, Mark and Alex had to switch to more conventional dates. The two went on their first vacation together-Hot Springs, Arkansas. Mark did his due diligence and booked the Air BNB and golf. Alex...did not. Turns out, if you would like to go to the hot springs in Hot Springs, Arkansas, you should probably reserve spots three months in advance. Regardless, the couple survived their first vacation together and realized whom each was in the relationship when it comes to travel: Mark is a better planner than Alex but also not a planner; Alex is...present with on-the-spot ideas.

2022. Also in, you guessed it, Oklahoma.

All was well. Mark and Alex had done holidays, vacations, a number of football seasons together. Parents had been met, pets were "fondish" of one another, places were explored, things were going swimmingly. And then life hit. Alex was still working on her Ph.D. while Mark was an adult with a job that now wanted him back in Denver. When Mark told Alex, it was unclear what the future would hold but they agreed they would both be comfortable moving to Denver.

Later in 2022. Denver, Colorado.

MARK & ALEX TAKE ON COLORADO!!! Once Mark found out he had to go back to Colorado, he reached out to help find Alex a job in what she was good at-wellbore cement. In September 2022, both Mark and Alex were living and working in Denver. Was the move stressful? Yes. Did Mark get mad Alex had a lot of rocks and other crap that she didn't need? Yes. Did Alex get mad Mark had a ton of hats? Yes. But, when Alex got to the house on the first night after driving from Oklahoma, Mark had the TV up, connected to the wifi, and ready for the first UGA game of the year the following morning.

Denver, Colorado. 2023.

Mark and Alex hit the slopes together for the first time and found that neither party lied about knowing how to ski/snowboard. In May, Alex graduated with her Ph.D. and Mark was there to cheer her on. After living in a ~900 square foot house and not breaking up, the two decided in late July it was probably time to buy a house. Alex always wanted land in Wyoming but Mark thought of the perfect compromise-a few acres close(ish) to where they work in Colorado. The two found a place in Conifer, Colorado that they can now happily say is their (and their pets) perfect escape.

Today. Conifer, Colorado.

The happy couple survived their first winter despite multiple snowstorms leading to all day shovel outs and getting the car stuck. The focus has turned to spring, the masters, the greenhouse, and the wedding. The lack of a good planner in the relationship is really showing its true colors as the wedding you are about to attend is being thrown together with "yea that's fine" and "sure". Nevertheless, we are very excited to celebrate with everyone and are looking forward to our future together.

TL/DR Mark and Alex love each other and are getting married.

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True Life