I had just moved to Northern Virginia and was settling into a new job, looking for direction in both my career and my life. I had a meeting with a colleague to talk about professional development. What books to read, courses to take, how to get more involved, and before we even got started, she hit me with: “Okay, you don’t have to answer this... but are you single and looking?”

She then proceeded to tell me about this guy Craig, who worked with her husband. She told me he was a DC firefighter, had a car, a truck, a motorcycle, and some rental properties. More importantly, she said he had a good head on his shoulders. Naturally, I asked the important question: “How old is he?” Then she showed me his picture, and I immediately said, “I’d like to meet him.”

After months of waiting for the guys to actually set something up, I decided to take matters into my own hands and sent Craig a Facebook friend request. I was tired of waiting. Later, I found out he almost didn’t accept it because my profile looked like I had no friends, and he thought I might be a catfish.

Eventually, we locked in a double date at a brewery for July 5, 2021. I arrived early (as always) and backed into my parking spot for an easy getaway just in case it went sideways. I had, of course, done my FBI-level research and knew what Craig’s vehicles looked like. I saw him pull in, right on time, and he backed into his spot too (a strong first impression). Melissa and Jamie (our mutual friends) were running late, and I had a moment of panic thinking this was going to turn into a solo date. So I took the bull by the horns (again) and introduced myself. We headed inside and ended up having a great time.

When the night ended, Craig walked me to my car and casually said, “text me when you get home.” His smooth way of getting my number. I texted Melissa immediately after and said, “Don’t forget to pencil me in your Erin Condren planner for NYE 2024.” I had a gut feeling that night, Craig was going to be my person. Turns out, I was right. He’s everything I prayed for and more.

A while back, my buddy Jamie invited me to a group brunch and mentioned there’d be a girl there named Carlie. He didn’t say much, just that she was cute and from North Carolina. I couldn’t make it that day and didn’t think much of it afterward.

Fast forward a few months, and Jamie circled back, asking if I wanted to go on a double date at a brewery after the Fourth of July. I had plans that weekend up in New Jersey, but figured I could hit the road early and make it in time. A few days before the date, I got a Facebook friend request from a girl who looked cute but had almost no friends on her profile and listed her hometown as somewhere in North Carolina. I genuinely thought it might be a catfish situation… until I remembered: “Wait, I am supposed to be meeting a Carlie from North Carolina.”

On July 5th, I hit the road heading back from the lake and ran into what can only be described as a scene from a nightmare. A porta-potty truck had wrecked, the top baffle had blown, and... well, there was literal 💩 everywhere. I was stuck in traffic, wondering if I should just cancel, but I knew I had to see this date through. So I kept going.

After finally making it home, I took my car through a drive-thru car wash three times, hit it with a pressure washer, and eventually gave up. That smell was going to have to be a problem for "future Craig." I grabbed my truck instead and headed to the brewery.

I pulled in, backed into a spot, and cracked open a Red Bull. A few minutes later, I saw this girl with big sunglasses power-walking straight toward my truck. I tried to look away but she was definitely coming over. “Hey, are you Craig? I’m Carlie,” she said. And just like that, we were inside.

Carlie was stunning. Smart, driven, funny, quick-witted, and had a sweet Southern accent. She was feisty in all the best ways. I knew before the afternoon was over that this wasn’t just another date. This was someone I could build something real with. She’s the Southern belle this Jersey boy didn’t know he’d been waiting for, but I’m so glad I found her.