I am sure you all are DYING to know how we met. Well, it is quite simple actually, we met on a dating app called Bumble, on Bumble when you match with another person the girl has to message first before the guy can say anything.

Well I was on the app looking for guys around my age I got sick and tired of not only being ghosted but I was also tired of finding only boring guys who were wasting my time, so I decided to set my age range younger and I never in a million years thought I would marry someone younger than me because I was always told: "boys are already immature, so why would you date younger?”

I started messaging Ethan not thinking that much would come from it but I soon realized that he was a genuinely nice guy, but I could not see past the “age gap” so I politely told him “Hey I think you are a great guy, but I think you are just too young for me. I wish you all the best." Ethan replied with "no worries, it was nice talking to you.”

Well, 12 hours later I got another notification from Ethan. When I opened it, it said "Hey I just thought I would let you know. I was talking to a friend, and I remembered my Birthday is in 10 days, so we really are not that far apart in age" (Mind you on the app it said he was 21 and I was 23). I replied, "Wowww you really have been thinking about me that much over the past 12 hours". To which Ethan replied," Well I just thought I would let this ageist girl on Bumble know that she is not THAT much older than me". I was flabbergasted to the point where I HAD to tell my parents. When I told them my dad said "Dang you shot him down hard, and he still came back?! Respect the pursuit and let him take you on a date". I laughed it off and thought okay sure. I then went and told Ethan he could take me on a date, to which he replied, "Oh now I can take you on a date?". I might have replied back...."Not if you are going to be a child about it". Ethan responded " HA good joke. I am an old soul". I did not believe him, but I decided to still give him the chance.

A couple of days later Ethan picked me up for our first date at Common Good Cocktail House in Glen Ellyn, IL (which I would later train and run the marathon with one of the owners).

After our date we went back to my house, and since I was living with my parents at the time, where he met my mom and dad. He talked to my parents for an hour and a half. I was shocked. What guy talks to a girl’s parents for an hour and a half the first time he meets them? LET ALONE ON THE FIRST DATE. Well, strangely enough, that is when I knew this relationship was going to be something.

I can say to this day my relationship with Ethan has been the biggest blessing, and I thank God for him daily. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, and we cannot wait to celebrate with you all on our big day.

E&M

Wedding Day