It was October 2020, and I (like everyone) was finally starting to venture out into the brave new post-COVID world! I'd spent much of lockdown and the ensuing Summer working like crazy and running. It was past time to get out, meet new people, and explore the City, especially Greenwich Village, my new neighborhood.

I had just started messing around on Bumble, the dating app. I will never forget the first time I saw Kara's profile picture. She was stunningly beautiful! To say I was interested, was an understatement...After waiting (impatiently) for her to message me, we finally started talking. The first thing Kara ever said to me was, "What is your favorite cocktail to make right now?" I had recently gotten into negroni's, but she made me promise to make her a Cosmopolitan (a drink I had never attempted, but of course pretended I had mastered). Our first date soon followed.

I showed up about 10 minutes early to our first date at EN Japanese Brasserie, an authentic Japanese restaurant in SoHo. Kara was a casual 15 minutes late in what would become a recurring theme in our early dating days. I vividly remember her stepping out of the car, introducing herself, and removing her mask for the first time when we sat down. She was even more beautiful in person. I was also immediately struck by her personality. She was so relaxed. So calm and easy-going. Not at all the girly girl I thought I'd be meeting, and frankly unlike every other woman in the best possible way. It's cliché, but it really felt like an instant breath of fresh air had just entered my life. Our first date was a hit, as was the second -- which she boldly scheduled for the next night. "How about (we go out again) tomorrow night?" Sign me up!

Kara and I were basically inseparable from that point forward. We fell in love during one of the prettiest fall seasons I have ever experienced in NYC. We ate and drank well. We laughed a lot. We learned everything we could about each other. Each of us knew early on we'd found "the one", a mutual feeling further validated by two successful meet-the-parents trips to the OC and Atlanta. I am still incredibly grateful the Rivas family welcomed me so warmly into their home, after Kara had only dated me for two months!

Kara and I have now been together for almost 3 years . We've created countless amazing memories together and traveled to some great spots, including Charleston, Anguilla, Rhode Island, Bermuda, London, and of course Paris, where we got engaged. Every minute with Kara has been better than the last. I cannot wait to marry her, and I am so grateful each of you will be there to help us celebrate!

Registry