When I first met Corey, it was love at first sight. Her beautiful smile, witty personality, and magnetic appeal won me over IMMEDIATELY. I remember coming home and telling my parents, “Yeah, she’s the one.”

Before Corey and I were official, we both spent about a month going on dates together. In the beginning, Corey was a tough catch. Let me tell you, she really made me work hard for that boyfriend title. I don’t blame her. She has shaped me into such a supportive man because of it.

Till this day she will even tell you that Yogurt Land was NOT our first date. I’m here to tell you why she’s wrong. In my defense, we had just met, and the money I saved on our first date, eventually went towards a ring! 💍

I cannot wait to celebrate with family & friends at our wedding. I am looking forward to starting this new journey with the woman I love and what new opportunities await for us together.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. —1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

As I was scrolling through the people who liked my profile on Hinge, one face caught my eye. He was handsome and had some cute pictures that made him seem fun and interesting. I responded to his like “❤️” on my profile and Joel wasted no time getting the conversation started.

We were texting for a few days when I told him I got off work early, and he seized the opportunity to meet me in person for the first time.

Our first meeting (which I don’t consider our first date) was at Yogurtland, and Joel was so nervous he didn’t offer to pay for my yogurt 😂 (hence it not being our first date). He quickly asked me out to The Planing Mill, a local pizza place so we could have an official first date.

Ever since that day, we have been getting to know each other inside and out, the good, the bad, the annoying. There is not a single thing I would change about our story because even if it wasn’t love at first sight (for me😉) I have enjoyed every moment getting to fall in love with Joel. Laughing, crying, arguing, it is all worth the love we have for each other, and I am so excited to say yes to spending the rest of my life with him. ❤️