After my divorce, it took me 3 years to decide I was ready to start dating again. At the time, I had romantic interest in my roommate, but things were at a standstill, and so I decided to get on Tinder, and put myself out there. I was only on there for 2 weeks, and I matched with this cute nurse. We began chit chatting and really hit it off. We discover we are both Christians and into health & fitness.

I was prepping for a body building competition when we first met, so I didn’t have a lot of options of places to eat, so we settled for a coffee date. I had given her a time limit because I needed to be back for a Skype posing session with my coach. Those 30 minutes went by so fast that we blinked and it had been 90! Conversation with her was effortless, and the emotional connection was formed. We went on several more dates, and she even went to my competition in Sacramento.

We were invited to a friend’s 30th birthday in Vegas, and one coworker said to me “You better put a ring on that!” We had been together for maybe 6 weeks at this point. I already knew then I wanted to marry her. I didn’t think I would ever remarry until this point. She captured my heart and soul, and the connection we share is like no other.

Thus began our traveling adventure. Cancun, Hawaii, our Tour of Europe: Lisbon, Madrid, London, & Ireland, Costa Rica, Napa, & Pacifica. Date nights, Get aways, Birthday celebrations, Giants Games, Disneyland, Hiking & paddle boarding Pinecrest Lake, Seattle/Portland, Moaning Caverns & Hiking in Calaveras, Swimming in backyards, making DIY art projects for the house, my biggest cheerleader at Women’s slow pitch softball, Our first of many Christmases, and family holiday gatherings. Opening & closing my gym, moving in together, adopting our 3 hairless cats, planting our garden, and building our dream home and life.

Now it’s been 4.5 years, and I can’t wait to say I do with you, Victoria. You are my penguin, and I love you.