Our story began when Lexi and I were both living in Atlanta. I had been there since graduating from Oglethorpe University in 2017 and she moved there after accepting a job in 2019. Our paths first crossed in 2020 when Lexi came across me on a dating app. While I would tell you she swiped right because of my dashing good looks, Lexi says she recognized me because two of her years at Berry College overlapped with brother, Nick.

After talking for a bit, we went on our first date to Hudson Grille in Brookhaven on February 11, 2020. I got a good sense of what it would be like to date Lexi from the start when she ordered a burger with a gluten free bun and had to compete for her attention with the Kentucky basketball game on the TVs. Thankfully UK beat Vandy 78-64 which made the night that much better. When the date was over, I will tell you that I ended with a “witty” line of “I’ll have my people contact your people” while Lexi will tell you that I parted with an awkward handshake rather than a hug. Regardless, the date went well and we intended to see each other again.

This led to several more dates and things seemed to be going well until the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world shutting down added uncertainty to our situation, Lexi was also very clear that she was not going to date me unless I was only seeing her and committed to seeing where our relationship was going. With plans to move to Athens for graduate school in the summer and not knowing what direction I wanted to take, I broke things off. For over a year, we two lived our own lives. I later admitted to some friends during that time that Lexi might have been the one that got away, but I was too chicken to do anything about it. Thankfully, my dumb decision didn’t end our story there.

During the summer of 2021, I once again found myself in Atlanta while interning at Georgia Tech. With Lexi on my mind and not wanting to be too forward, I planned to reach out to her and apologize for how I left things with no real intention of rekindling a relationship mostly because I had no idea how she felt toward me after I ended our initial relationship. Before I even had a chance to send this well-thought-out yet inconspicuous text to Lexi, she texted me! My heart sank because I had no clue why she would be reaching out, but I instantly had butterflies. She had once again found my dating profile and was curious what I was doing in Atlanta and once again, on a dating app. After grabbing dinner as “just friends,” Lexi didn’t make it a walk in the park for me that summer. She told me I had to “win her over” & lucky for both of us, that’s just what I did. We continued going on dates and became official later that summer.

The next year was filled with Lexi making trips to visit me in Athens while I finished my last year at UGA. The main purpose of these trips may have been to visit my dog, Trooper, but we don’t have to ask too many questions. In May 2022, we two moved to Florida for my job at the University of Florida. After dating for over two years, I bought a ring and enlisted the help of Lexi’s mom, Tanya, and sister Addyson to make the engagement truly special. Under the not-so-clever guise of a couples photoshoot (thanks Addy for the awesome pics!) I got down on one knee on the beach of Anna Maria Island and asked Lexi to marry me. She said “yes” and we are thrilled to continue writing our story with you all by their side. We look forward to celebrating with everyone in November.

Registry

Thank you for your generosity and for celebrating this milestone moment with us. It means so much! If you are looking to chip in on one of the larger gifts, please visit the Crate & Barrel or Amazon site & you can contribute to Group Gift Fund of that item.