It all started May 5th, 2020 when we both swiped right on the dating app, Bumble, and started our relationship.

Part 1: The Start

We had our first date about a week later at a Taco Mac, and wrapped up watching Moana. We bonded over wings, Disney, and some of our new hobbies we started or resumed during the 2020 Lockdown. We spent the next several weeks getting to know each other, going on some great dates, and watching the Marvel movies from the beginning. Late June rolled around, and due to the longer distance from one another, grad school assignments, and the unknown of pandemic protocols and plans, we decided to part ways as friends.

Part 2: The In-between

We stayed in touch and continued to get dinner with one another once in a blue moon. We developed a stronger friendship and helped one another through finishing grad school (we both graduated in the summer of 2021!). While we did date other people, nothing seemed to really stick for either of us. At the start of summer 2022, Claire explained to Ian how she would be taking the summer “seriously” for dating and, being direct, asked Ian if he wanted to try to date again. Ian initially responded with a “I’m not sure.” Claire, who was not interested in wasting time nor having her feelings hurt, promptly went on a date with another man that evening. Throughout the week, Ian thought long and hard about Claire and their possible future together. He went out to lunch with a friend and told them all about Claire and how their friendship had grown. After that lunch, Ian realized that he should see where things could go with Claire.

Part 3: New Beginnings, Great Adventures

Our second first date took place at the Putt Shack followed by Jinya in June of 2022. After that first date, we felt pretty inseparable. We spent almost every weekend together and introduced one another to our families. Ian asked Claire to be his girlfriend on Labor Day of that year, and by November, we both felt almost certain we had found our match. We spent the rest of 2022 and most of 2023 being there for one another in some bigger life events, such as moving, new jobs, and watching our Dawgs win a second National Championship in a row.

Part 4: The Present

During Claire’s 10 year college reunion on Mountain Day, 2023, Ian proposed! We spent time enjoying the festivities of the day and seeing old friends and coworkers. Unbeknownst to Claire, Ian had gathered our families and some close friends to witness the big moment on top of Lavender Mountain. Ian proposed outside of the House O’ Dreams, which is one of our first and favorite hikes. Everyone cheered as Claire said “Yes!” and started the next adventure for us both!

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