They have Tinder to thank for helping find each other amidst the pandemonium of the COVID pandemic. Alex was living and working remotely in Carolina Beach, NC. Ariel was in surgical residency in Wilmington, NC. It was late 2020 and they both swiped right.

Their first date was brunch at First Watch on Feb 7, 2021 followed by a stroll around a local Wilmington game store where they started to learn how much they share in common. A love of brunch, board games, scuba diving and travel to name a few. Ariel was captivated by Alex's big heart, and Alex was intrigued by Ariel's "big brain".

Ariel got to meet some of Alex's family first at an intimate dinner for his birthday in late March, and Alex met Ariel's family the old fashion way... living on a sailboat with them for a week in October. They are both grateful to have had constant support for their relationship from friends and family.

When Ariel graduated residency and decided to start practicing medicine in Columbia, TN, Alex didn't hesitate to make the move with her. Roughly 4 months after their move, on a hilltop overlooking the ocean in Gran Canaria, Alex asked Ariel to marry him.

SHE SAID YES!!!

Alex and Ariel have been continuing their adventure in Tennessee for over a year and look forward to continuing to build their life together for countless more.