Our story began in early October 2024 on a dating app called Hinge. What started as a simple “Hello” and a bit of small talk quickly grew into long, effortless conversations; the kind that make hours disappear. After a couple days, we were both feeling hopeful and ready to take the next logical step: a VR mini‑golf date.

During one of our early conversations, we discovered we both owned Meta Quest headsets. This was a massive development, and not one I expected. I pitched the idea for us to play together, and before we knew it, we were standing in a virtual world together. So there we were, just two nervous floating heads holding putters. This was our first time talking in real time and the first time I heard Holly's voice. This also served as an opportunity to gauge each other’s competitive side. We ended up having a blast! The virtual mini‑golf date was a major success and it set something into motion that has only continued to gain momentum as time has gone by.

Not long after, Holly suggested we meet in person at the Carolina Classic Fair in Winston‑Salem, NC. I agreed immediately. The date was about a week away, and during that time, we kept texting, learning more about each other, and counting down the days. It started to feel like a week-long drumroll. Despite not having met in person yet, we were becoming important parts of each other's days.

October 12, 2024 — Our First Date

When the day finally arrived, we were both nervous and excited. After sorting out which Ferris wheel to meet at, we saw each other for the first time. Those first few moments are a bit blurry but I remember how stunning Holly looked and how beautiful her smile was. When I try to reminisce about how I was feeling or what either one of us said, the memory it is enveloped in a dreamlike haze. Perhaps it is because something that special can only be experienced once, so it is now forever sealed away in time.

Our first “meal” together ended up being an (accidental) turkey wing and a turkey leg. We rode several rides together. We even agreed to avoid the Starship 2000 at all costs. We had great conversations throughout the entire day, and our words flowed so easily. Every moment together felt so special, even just waiting in line holding hands. At one point, I won Holly a stuffed turtle in a very skill-based ball-throwing game that they referred to as Bingo. Everything that could have gone right, did. The date was absolutely perfect.

We decided to close out the date on the tallest swing carousel ride. It was terrifying. But taking in the view of the fair below us, along with Pilot Mountain, and the Winston-Salem Silo (Wells Fargo building), in the distance were all great distractions. We had such a great time, it was a little sad to say goodbye. Driving home, I kept replaying the day over and over in my head. All I could think about was how excited I was to see Holly again. It was early on, but I had a strong feeling that I had just met my future wife.

What Came Next

Two weeks later, we became “official”.

427 days later, we got engaged.

On July 4th, 2026, we will become husband and wife.