In September of 2021, Mason and Claire met the way everyone dreams of meeting the love of their life...online.

After messaging on dating app Hinge for a week, they met at a cocktail bar in their New York City neighborhood, the East Village. One drink turned into two, which turned into a second location down the block, a local beer hall.

Claire was taken by Mason's maturity, sincerity, confidence, thoughtful questions, and calming energy. And okay, yes, his height. Mason was in awe of Claire's beauty and style, her eloquent, sophisticated nature, her creative mind, family-oriented values, and the way she genuinely listened to him.

After walking Claire home, Mason's regret was immediate. He texted her: "I should have kissed you." She responded coyly: "You could come back." And so, Mason speed-walked the five blocks back to Claire's apartment. She trekked back down four flights of stairs to meet him outside of her building. Both a little breathless (from the walk, the stairs, or each other, it's hard to say), they kissed for the first time on that trash-littered city sidewalk.

One month later, they took their first trip together to Stowe, Vermont, where they made things "official" while walking a scenic trail, their feelings and the leaves changing around them. A month after that, Claire and Mason exchanged "I love you"s while squished together under an awning in Chelsea, hidden from the rain but totally exposed to each other.

On New Year's Eve, Mason met Claire's entire extended family (30+ people!) at a family wedding and passed with flying colors (thanks to a slideshow Claire made for him to study before.) With her head on his shoulder during the plane ride back to NYC, Claire distinctly remembers feeling completely overwhelmed by pure, deep love for Mason.

One week later, Claire met Mason's dad and stepmom in Florida, and from then on, it was crystal clear to both of them that they could spend the rest of their lives together.

In March of 2023, they moved into their first home together, an apartment in downtown Manhattan which is absolutely tiny and way too hot, but filled with light and laughter. In November of 2023, Mason got down on one knee on a tennis court by the Hudson River and asked Claire to be his doubles partner for life, or, in other words, to marry him.

She said yes, obviously, or this website wouldn't exist.

The best part? Claire and Mason's love story is just getting started...