Back in 2018 we met on Ok Cupid… silly we know, but the night of our first date we knew we were meant to spend life together. That night, boats were fishes and fishes were boats. 5 years later, here we are getting married. Our Love continues to grow for each-other every single day. We can’t wait for what is to come in our life.

Friday the 28th of September. 2018. The night of our first date. I was scrolling on OK Cupid, She stood out because she was blonde, a cheerleader, short, and beautiful as all can be. Why she swiped right on me I’ll never know. In her profile was a boyfriend application that I filled out as a joke. Who would have guessed what it would have turned into. We matched and she for some reason agreed to go out with me that Friday night. Pick the spot I said to her. She said this hibachi type restaurant by her house called Kashi. She offered to pay but I told her that wasn’t happening. Later that day she mentioned to me that she told her therapist about the date she had that evening. Some would say “red flag” but I like a challenge. Something about this one was different so I picked her up flowers for the first date. I drove to the house in my 2007 Honda Accord and texted I’m here. Allegedly she got the text as she was getting her sister Giavanna pasta and then screamed and spaghetti went everywhere. She rapidly got ready as her mom, Giavanna and Nicole all ran to the window to have a look. Apparently her aunt was recording her coming out to the car (something I was told about later). I got out handed her the flowers and at this particular moment, my jaw had a hard time staying connected to my face. It was open wide and she was grinning ear to ear listening to me babble like an idiot. We got in the car and the restaurant was only a short drive away. We talked about our day and how good the restaurant was. It was valet parking and for some reason the valet told me in front of her that I looked like Channing Tatum. We went inside sat down and began an hour and a half long conversation about all types of things. Our parents, jobs, school, siblings. Finally she was able to put 2+2 together that I am also missing a leg. We talked about that at length. I then proceeded to flip it upside down for her as my signature trick. We also talked about how there was a picture of me in my profile with it out and how she didn’t see it. She thought it was the coolest thing on the planet. The restaurant was good and we got done I paid of course and told her to keep her wallet away. We walked outside and staring into each other’s eyes nervously laughing with butterflies in my stomach I asked if she wanted the date to end. To my surprise she said no. It was then decided to go down to Long Beach I knew if she was gonna be cold I had some old work hoodies in my car that would do the job and she delightfully accepted. Down to the board walk we went where she showed me one of her job’s which was in a taco truck. Under a light we stopped and stared into the ocean as we saw the freighter boats coming in. It was at this point she said a staple phrase in our relationship. “Are those fishes or boats?” To which I said well they’re boats she said no they’re fishes I said okay they’re fishes no they’re boats. No they’re fishesIi said. No they’re boats okay I said they’re boats. No they’re fishes. I can’t win can I? No you can’t. I said okay and she gave me one more chance. Are they fishes or boats. I said fishes. No they’re boats YOU FUCKING IDIOT. My jaw dropped again, and for some reason in my head it clicked and I said I’m gonna marry this girl. We laughed and laughed and finally after some time it was quiet and perfect under the light we looked at each other and it was a mutual decision for me to brush her hair to side and we kissed. Both smiling ear to ear. The conversations continued and we sat on a bench. Now close to 10pm at night suddenly I got a phone call from home. My grandpa called to tell me the bathroom was flooding and he couldn’t shut it off. I looked at her apologizing and said I have to go. In the back of my head I thought to myself she thinks I’m ditching her and this is gonna be the last time I see her. Driving back we got a souvenir of a red light ticket of course. I dropped her off at home we kissed one more time and off I went to deal with a first in the weeks family emergencies. Thinking to myself it was the best date of my life and luckily she thought the same. Luckily the house didn’t flood and the next day she still wanted to hear from me. That’s the story of both of our last first dates.