"Caroline and I met on the dating app ‘Bumble’ in early 2022 – Bumble notoriously requires the woman to message first. Being from Minnesota, and seeing that I, too, was a Midwesterner living in Seattle, Caroline’s opening line was “Hey, Iowa”. While that line may have been super cringe… it worked.

Later that week, we would meet in person for the first time at one of our now favorite watering holes in Ballard, ‘Bale Breaker / Yonder’ brewery. I let her know that my Uber had arrived and stood, waiting, out front for a good 30 minutes or so. Little did I know, my text was her wake up call after a 12hr night shift, and she was panic-getting ready. Finally, up strolled this cute set of sopping wet curls and my nerves and frustrations regarding her tardiness disappeared immediately. We sat outside in the 40-degree weather sipping some delicious ciders and talking about our families, friends, and love for the Lord of the Rings, only breaking for her to express her concerns about my teeth-chattering chilliness. That first date was wonderful, and I’d soon get to meet what would become the second love of my life – her floofy German Shepherd, Howie."

- Nick

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