Jerdan and I met on Hinge, but not willingly! Jerdan made a bet over a game of cornhole that if he lost, he had to create a Hinge account and my roommate created my account! It’s safe to say that our friends know us best! Jerdan and I had been texting for a few weeks before we got the chance to go on our first date – mini golf and cookies! The texting conversations were so great, but leaving the first date I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go out with Jerdan again. He had just gotten back from Washington though and had brought me a chocolate bar from Theo’s chocolate factory, a place he had visited in Washington. I figured the least I could do was go on a second date with him because of how sweet and thoughtful he was! That chocolate bar saved the day, because after our reluctant second date I was eager to see him again. On our third date, Jerdan and I went to a Christmas cirque show and spent nine hours chatting, looking at Christmas lights, and laughing together. It was that date that both of us knew that this was someone special!

As we spent more and more time together, Jerdan and I realized how much we enjoyed each other. We spent time playing board games, hiking, and playing quirky sports like pickleball and racquetball. We got to know one another’s families, friends, and passions and our lives began to merge.

Over time, I fell in love with Jerdan’s gentle and encouraging spirit, his kindness, and the way he made me laugh with his goofy dance moves. I found that everyday life was better when he was around and even the mundane was exciting together. My favorite memories together include the countless sports games we’ve gone to, the hikes we’ve accomplished, and the times we’ve been out on the boat together. Amongst my favorites was when Jerdan joined my church life group. My life group had been getting to know him and was asking when he would join. I made a commitment to myself that I wouldn’t bring him in until I was certain about our future together. When I came to that decision, I asked my life group friends if they would be okay with him joining. When I asked, I remember them cheering and being so excited. It was that moment that I realized how incredible of a guy I had found. I am excited to spend forever with someone who makes everyday life sweeter!

From the start, I loved Aly’s sweet, lighthearted, and inquisitive spirit. Aly was an absolute joy to be around, and I found myself not being able to get enough of her. We would spend hours and hours talking and laughing and that’s when I found out that Aly has an incredible sense of humor and could always make me smile. I also loved Aly’s adventurous spirit and it wasn’t long before I took that upon myself, and we were able to venture out to Iceland with some friends. That trip turned out to be some of my favorite memories together. We hiked to a canyon at midnight, snorkeled through tectonic plates, and explored dozens of waterfalls. I am eager to see what other exciting moments our future holds.

Jerdan decided that he was going to propose, but it had to be a surprise. I’m not very good at letting surprises happen, so when I figured out that a proposal was coming, I began being suspicious of everything! Over the fall time we had a hike planned for just about every weekend. Fall and hiking are our favorite things, so I had a feeling that’s when it would happen. Before each hike I would check the backpack for a ring and pat down Jerdan’s pockets in search of anything out of the ordinary. Of course, he had a plan to ensure it was a surprise despite my suspicions. Jerdan had my brother take a table, a card, and the ring up on a hike to an overlook off the trail. Jerdan led me out there and proposed, and of course, got an excited “yes, yes, yes!”

We are eager to begin this new stage of our lives together and are excited to get to celebrate with our family and friends in July!