Jonathan moved from Colorado to San Francisco in 2017, bringing his BS in Finance to the tech capital of the world, to begin his career with a job in the bustling “FinTech” industry. As he navigated the challenges of establishing his life in a new city, Jonathan looked to Hinge to match him with likeminded individuals- focused on a healthy lifestyle, career progression and making memories in one of the world’s greatest cities.

In January 2020, Emily came into the picture. As Jonathan’s roommate, I felt a real comfort with her around and took naturally to being the third wheel. I couldn’t have been more proud of my big brother when he made their relationship official in March 2020 during a trip to gorgeous Yosemite National Park.

Shortly thereafter, the COVID 19 pandemic began and required Emily and Jonathan to adjust to an environment not traditionally conducive to dating. But beyond their mutual interests, they shared a positive outlook about how their relationship could not only survive, but actually thrive during quarantine. Although CDC regulations removed access to public spaces like restaurants, workout classes, and barber shops, Jonathan and Emily found creative ways to have fun and continue to share their passions. They’d try new recipes at home, design their own workout plans- yoga flows combined with propane tank-weighted pull-ups- and give each other haircuts (just kidding on this last one).

Later that year, Emily would meet Jonathan’s and my parents for the first time. She made an immediate impression upon all of us with her joyful presence (and baking talents), and since then, has become a fixture of the holiday season at the Whiteley household.

Once travel restrictions posed by COVID began to lessen and (relatively) normal travel patterns resumed, Emily and Jonathan were free to kindle their shared passion for travel. They wasted no time in exploring a wide breadth of destinations, spanning from far away, urban playgrounds like New York City and Tokyo to nearby, bucolic settings like Mendocino. These locations would serve as blank pages for Jonathan and Emily to write their own stories and add to the wealth of memories they’d compiled already.

As soon as Jonathan and Emily were convinced the other was tolerable, they decided to move into their first apartment. In February 2023, Jonathan and Emily became locals in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. They obviously had not seen the 1990 Michael Keaton movie of the same title… I joined them for the apartment tour and witnessed firsthand the shared optimism about how their foyer/kitchen/workspace/living room/storage area was “cozy”, not small. This space, whatever it was designed for in the floor plan, became a wonderful place for TV binging, puppy nephew rearing (his name is Murphy), and deepening their connection.

For those who have accompanied Emily and Jonathan on their journey from travel partners to life partners, from boyfriend and girlfriend to husband and wife, we are so happy to celebrate with you!