Sean's niece Bailee convinced him to download the Hinge app and create a profile. He followed her advice.

Cora had previously downloaded the same app and deleted it after a bad date. She had a feeling that she needed to download it again and did so.

Cora was on the app for 3 days before Sean contacted her. He asked her a question about a beach photo on her profile, but didn't realize that the photo he replied on was a completely different one.

Cora though it was interesting and decided to respond. This was just before Thanksgiving on 2024.

After talking for a couple of weeks, they agreed to meet up for a date. Cora chose a Thai restaurant that was midway between where they both lived. They agreed to meet on a Sunday after their church services. Sean, nervous about being late and not computing the drive time correctly, arrived 45 minutes early. Cora, always running late, actually arrived 5 minutes early.

Cora was excited to have her date, but more excited to eat Thai food for lunch. That quickly changed when she met Sean. She thought Sean looked much more handsome in person than on his profile pictures. Sean thought Cora was very attractive and he didn't care what was for lunch, he just wanted to get to know her.

Sean had never had Thai food before and had no idea what to order. While Cora had Pad Thai, he ordered a seafood salad. When she questioned his choice, thats when he mentioned he'd never had Thai before.

Despite the food snafu, their conversation flowed easily. They talked about multiple different subjects, while the people around them came and went. Soon they realized it was dark outside and the restaurant closed in 30 mins. They had been talking for 6 hours.

They agreed to a second date the following weekend. Sean walked Cora to her car but as they passed his truck he told her he had something for her and grabbed a bouquet of pink fire and ice roses for her.

Sean asked Cora if she liked viewing the stars. She replied that she did (it is one of her favorite things) and they agreed to view the stars that night if it was a clear night.

When Sean arrived in Red River, it was a clear, very cold night. They went just outside of town to look at the stars. Cora found the Orion constellation quickly, while Sean found the Big Dipper and pointed it out to Cora. She turned and they both looked up just in time to see a shooting star travel slowly across the sky.

Sean said, "I couldn't have planned it more perfectly."

When Cora asked what he was talking about, he got down on one knee and said, "this" while he opened a ring box. Inside lay a beautiful emerald engagement ring with a celtic triquatra on either side of it.

Cora obviously said yes. Then Sean asked if she wanted him to put it on her. She said, "yes but once we get back in the truck because it's cold out here."

They climbed into the truck and she took off her glove so that he could place the ring on her finger.