Two years ago, a spark of fate ignited when Joe’s sister and her best friend Abby started chatting about how perfect Joe would be for Anna, a mutual friend. “Anna is one hundred percent his type,” his sister exclaimed. “We have to make this happen!”

Fast forward a couple of months: Abby and Anna are getting ready for a night out when Abby casually mentions, “I have to show you Becca’s brother’s Instagram—you’ll love him! He’s older, has that irresistible salt-and-pepper look, and he’s single. Plus, he thinks you’re gorgeous!” Intrigued, Anna follows Joe on Instagram, and to her delight, he follows her back.

What follows is a delightful exchange of funny memes, flirty messages, and playful banter. However, life intervenes, and they both end up dating other people. Those relationships fizzle out, but almost a year later, fate intervenes again. Joe sends Anna a reel featuring an 80’s power ballad remix of “All of the Small Things” by Blink-182. Anna replies “That hits so hard – I love it!” soon they’re reminiscing about their past and how the dating world has treated them. Both admit it hasn’t been easy, and Anna daringly suggests, “Should we try going out again?” Joe responds with an enthusiastic “Hell yeah!”

On October 5, 2023, they embark on their first official date at the Sinema. The chemistry is electric, they close down the restaurant, utterly engrossed in conversation, reluctant for the night to end. After dinner, Joe walks Anna to her door, but they linger in the driveway for over an hour, wrapped up in each other’s laughter and stories.

From that night on, they’ve been inseparable, their connection forged by destiny and deepened by the shared joy of each moment together.

It was a cozy Friday night, and we had just indulged in our guilty pleasure, binge-watching Love Is Blind. As the credits rolled on the latest episode, we found ourselves craving something sweet. Anna and Joe headed downstairs, but Joe made a quick detour back to check with his son about dessert. Little did Anna know, Joe was secretly retrieving an engagement ring from his bedroom.

With the ring discreetly tucked into his pajama pants, he made his way back down the stairs. Meanwhile, Anna was busy rummaging for paper plates to heat up some cinnamon rolls. When she turned around, her heart skipped a beat. There was Joe, down on one knee, ring in hand, a look of pure joy on his face. Before he could even finish the question, Anna exclaimed “Yes!” in a whirlwind of excitement. It was a moment filled with laughter, love, and the sweetest surprise, perfectly topped off with cinnamon rolls.