On February 24, 2020 (the day of the week that contains the most romance, Monday), Emma and Chase met in the parking lot in front of Tiki's Bar and Grill, a Hawaiian restaurant inside of a strip mall - in true Virginia Beach fashion. They were originally introduced on Hinge, a popular dating app, a few weeks prior when Emma was impressed with Chase's *very* amateur outdoor selfie photography. However, it was alarmingly close to Valentine's Day, so the date did not take place until a safe amount of time had passed since the scary, romantic holiday.


So, they met in a parking lot, and neither were immediately repulsed, so they went inside. Only then did Emma come very close to ditching the date. But, she didn't. She persevered against her better judgment. But, I mean, to be fair, Chase did tell her he was 'technically unemployed." Two weeks later, Chase got a job that was going to take him on a ship out to sea for a month. And wouldn't you know it, the world really did end.


COVID-19 struck and changed everything. Can you really call it "dating" if you can't go anywhere or do anything? Chase and Emma spent a lot of time over the next year building a semi-functional cat tank, eating meals on the porch, painting funny portraits of each other, and playing outside.


In July 2021, they officially moved in together. They got a cute apartment in West Ghent, Norfolk where they lived with their dog, cat, and two snakes. Chase tolerates the snakes. And the cat. Their neighborhood bordered their favorite part of Norfolk: the Elizabeth River Trail. With more than 10 miles of designated pathways through the city, the trail easily lended itself to their incessant running and biking habits.


Even with Chase intermittently gone due to his shipping career, they quickly found a home here in Norfolk. In November 2022, Emma talked Chase into adopting another dog while he was still out at to sea. He technically never agreed to it, but how could he say no from thousands of miles away? So, Kipchoge joined the menagerie with Darwin, Chalupa, Hotdog, and Wormy. He's Chase's dog now.


In July 2023, Emma and Chase moved into a house just a few miles away from their apartment where they now plan to stay. Just two blocks from the Lafayette River, they can still run for miles in any direction and, sometimes, if they're lucky, they might even spot a river otter. Or maybe a muskrat. Who's to say?


On March 29, 2024, Darwin turned 9 years old, a very special day for both him and Emma. It was also Chase's niece, Aurelia's, 2nd birthday. It was also the day that Chase finally proposed. He walked her 2.5 miles through the swamps of First Landing State Park at sunset and then got down on one knee to pop the question. Emma sobbed and replied with an emphatic "Mhm!"


Their wedding was already being planned, but now it was official. They are so excited to celebrate their love and future together at their wedding ceremony on February 15, 2025.


Still, Chase has managed to avoid going on a scary, romantic date on Valentine's Day.