Meeting people organically these days isn’t so easy anymore, especially as a single parent in your late 30’s and early 40’s. The dating world today, for lack of a better term, is a total dumpster fire. It is no small feat finding your other half. As Mark and Jess scoured dating apps looking for “the one” they pondered the idea of just giving up. Mark gave a last-ditch effort and joined Facebook Dating where he threw a Hail-Mary “like” at a gorgeous woman he expected to ignore him. Right before Mark deleted his profile, and with some persuasion from Jess’s good friend Kelly, she decided to give Mark a shot… hoping to hell he wasn’t like the other trolls online. A few messages later their story would truly begin.

With no real rush, the two were able to establish some similarities and garner what they called “points” in getting to know each other. Mark finally arranged their first date at The Water Bar in Sparks. It was the hottest night of the summer. Despite sweat pouring from every crevice, paired with the nerves of a first date, they had a surprisingly natural bond. In fact, she felt very comfortable with him; like she had known him forever. They managed to have great conversation and really enjoy each other’s company. She was very impressed. He was super cute, not awkward, and this was the most expensive dinner she had ever had.

When the reality of the date coming to an end was blatant, neither wanted it to end. He didn’t want it to end for fear of never hearing from her again, and she didn’t want to go home just yet, wondering how she could squeeze a little bit more time out of it. It was too hot outside to walk around, so she invited him back to her place for a swim. Mark was trepidatious about it at first, because what weirdo invites a total stranger back to a pool on their first date? Was she asking to get murdered? Then he thought; in today’s day and age, with all the catfishing, photo editing, and makeup, the swimming pool would be an excellent way to make sure she isn’t a gremlin underneath her make-up. Always take your date to a pool to get that make-up off to see what you’ll potentially be waking up to for the rest of your life!

Joking aside, he made one of the best decisions of his life agreeing to continue the night. They ended up having a great time. When it was time to go home, they hugged good-bye, both hoping the other would want to see each other again.

Their second date was at Coconut Bowl with their kids, Declan and Lily. The day before, Jess had discovered her kitty Luna had been killed by a pack of coyotes. It was devastating to her and Lily. While the kids were off playing together, Mark said he had to run to his car for a second. A few minutes later he returned to the table with a framed picture of Luna he had made for them. She was instantly brought to tears. No one had ever done anything like that before. Lily was over the moon happy about the picture also. That night while saying goodbye, they shared their first kiss. It was like magic. They could both feel those tingly sparks you’d always wished for!

After that night, constant texting, hours’ long phone calls, and a natural bond truly started to form. They started uncovering all the things they had in common like both being Pisces, having dogs named Kaya, making hard boiled eggs the same way, putting garlic salt on pizza, the list goes on. With a shared love for the same music, food, and hobbies, it was clear this was a perfect match. They had finally found that missing piece they had hoped for. It was just too easy to be together, and too hard to be apart.

Fast forward a couple months; Mark brought up the idea of them moving in together. The pain of having to leave each other and go sleep in separate beds every night was just too much. As soon as the other got home, they would call and talk for hours. After discussing moving in more and more, and with some hesitation of things moving too fast, Jess finally took a chance. She and Lily moved into Mark’s house in November.

Living together came incredibly easy, and Mark’s house became a home immediately. The only oversight they didn’t think of was shower temperature. Jess, like Danerys Targaryen, turned out to be the true dragon queen and prefers lava showers. Mark, on the other hand, prefers to keep his skin intact and not be scalded off his body. Cooking together, working out together, finishing each other’s sentences, was all new to them, new in all the greatest ways.

January 12th 2024, Mark proposed to Jess, and obviously without any hesitation, she said yes!