Our love story started the same way every beautiful Hallmark movie starts, on the dating app Hinge. On an app full of toxic men and wanna be trophy wives, I never expected to find anyone like Emma. May 24th, 2024 will always be one of my favorite days because that is the day Emma swiped right on me first (yes you heard that right, Emma liked me first).


When we started talking, I realized she was different. I quickly made sure I got her snapchat by saying I dont check this app much, you should snapchat me. Of course this worked, because why wouldnt it? When Emma added me (and I could officially stalk her on Facebook to see what she was all about), she mentioned to me that she was going on vacation. Figuring that she would be going to like Florida or California, I quickly found out she was actually going to Israel. AN EIGHT HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE. While we had this time difference, we still found time during the day to talk (around 11-1 CT). So basically, we talked for like 20 minutes a day because I was in class (I swear I was paying attention). I remember to this day my heart always racing every time my apple watch would buzz in class. It was the highlight of my day to see her Bitmoji pop up on my watch. It sucked we couldnt talk all day, but those 20 minutes were so special to me.


When she returned to the states, I pulled the classic I dont like snapchat, you should text me. Cheesy? Yes. But it worked. A couple days later, June 12th, 2024, we met in person. Our first official date was at Foundry in Bettendorf. When she arrived to my apartment and got in my dads truck that I was driving at the time, she didnt look at me once. Just stared straight ahead while driving to the restaurant. I knew she was nervous. What she didnt know was that 5 minutes before I was pacing back and forth in my apartment with my putter in hand (dont ask why), hitting putts to take my mind off the date.


That night at dinner, we talked about everything and anything. We started to warm up to each other, and decided to go sit on my deck to talk more after our meal. When she walked into my apartment, she called it cute. And in the same breath, she goes You need throw pillows for that couch. Now I hate throw pillows with a passion, mainly because I grew up in a household with too many throw pillows (thanks Karen). An hour later, I found her looking up throw pillows (I have learned that she LOVES throw pillows). That night was amazing, I didnt want her to leave. We talked about growing up, our families, and everything in between. I realized that she was special, and I needed to keep seeing her.


After a couple more dates, on June 19th, 2023, I officially agreed to go to TJ Maxx to get throw pillows. Emma MADE me buy two green throw pillows (to this day, we still have them). When we got back to my place, I stated Now that you made me buy throw pillows, I feel like you need to be my girlfriend. She of course agreed (or else you wouldnt be reading this). From that day, I have fallen more and more in love with Emma Faith Hartz. She is my best friend, the love of my life, my future wife, and future mother to my children. I thank God everyday for putting her in my life. While I never expected to meet anyone so PERFECT on Hinge, I am so happy that we have that story for the rest of our lives.