Ethan and Renee started dating in the summer of 2021. After several unsuccessful attempts on online dating apps, the couple finally matched with each other on Bumble and began texting. Their conversations would go down rabbit holes, multiply into several conversational threads, and soon they'd be having three to five different conversations with each other, on different subjects, simultaneously.

After several weeks of texting, they decided to go on a date in Brunswick at the Little Dog Cafe. Ethan was immediately smitten by Renee's obvious brilliance, kindness and charm. Renee was intrigued by this quiet man with cute curls who would listen attentively as she spoke rapid-fire about her tech passions. The way he had a calming, quiet presence, but could keep up with her though every subject change. She thought she had talked his ear off. He had never been more smitten. At the end of the date, Ethan asked, "Will I get to see you again?" and Renee was struck by his phrasing. Not just see her again, but "get to" see her again.

After a few more dates, they finally kissed on a bench overlooking the river in Hallowell. After a few more, they were officially a couple. After six months of driving back and forth from Manchester to Freeport, Ethan moved in with Renee in the spring of 2022, where the couple would regularly make all of Ethan's friends and family extremely jealous of all the incredible dishes Renee would cook. They would co-parent two dachshunds, Minty and Moose, and stay up late debating science, religion, philosophy, politics, and several subjects too dumb to repeat here. Through it all, their bond grew deeper. Renee was the free spirit Ethan needed to pull him out of his shell, and Ethan was the calm and peace Renee had been searching for.

Just over a year after moving in together, Ethan was ready to commit to spending the rest of his life with Renee. He had the ring in-hand just over 24 hours before taking Renee to the gardens at Pineland Farms to propose. He'd arranged it with Pineland to keep the gates open that night, but Renee, not knowing this, was looking for an exit in case they got locked in and needed to hoof it. Casually, Ethan said, "Hey, I've got a proposal for you...", and Renee replied, "Not on two legs you don't..." and as soon as the words left her mouth she knew what was about to happen. Ethan dropped down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage.

Thank you so much for your gift! We truly appreciate it. -Ethan & Renee

Thank you so much for your gift! We truly appreciate it.

-Ethan & Renee