After swiping right on Bumble in 2015, we buzzed into each other's lives. Over the next month, text conversations became phone converations, and the tension to meet was mounting. Desperate to finally meet, Ariel agreed to pick Derek up at the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport as he returned from a work trip.

Risky, but rewarding,

Ariel had shared her location with friends and family, and felt confident after over a month of texts, calls and facetiming that Derek wasn't a serial killer. It also helped we went to the same college and had mutual Facebook friends.

After dating for a few months, Derek realized he didn't want something serious.

Ariel stuck around because she knew Derek was the one, even if he didn't...YET.

Over the next few years, we stayed friends and realized we had similar taste in music, comedy, and just enjoyed each other's company.

Fast forward to 2018...

After spending more and more time together, Derek invited Ariel to go on his family vacation to the OBX in the summer of 2018. Ariel didn't catch the hint and when they returned, and she asked him what they were doing and he said, "yeah of course you're my girlfriend I took you to meet my family".

We moved in together later in 2018 and Derek hasn't been able to get rid of Ariel since.

Engaged on November 3, 2023 - Derek proposed to Ariel in the exact spot we first met, at the Hartsfield Jackson Airport North pickup/dropoff area.