New in town, Dave was getting to know his new neighborhood when he connected with Laura, a life-long resident of South Carolina, in the digital world of Hinge. Some witty banter and a few weeks later, they had their first date at a local Irish Pub in Lexington, SC on February 21, 2021. The next year brought them many different dates to local farmer's markets, restaurants, and the geographical wonders of the capital city and surrounding towns. Laura enjoyed introducing new foods into Dave's world...namely, the southern delicacy that is the boiled peanut. (Dave eventually sort of liked them...sometimes). A little more than a year into dating, Dave got the opportunity to move back to New Mexico, and Laura decided to make the move with him.

In the Spring of 2022, Dave made the trek out to New Mexico. Laura finished up the school year in South Carolina, and joined him in July. For a year and a half, Dave and Laura started to build their lives together in Albuquerque, NM. This time Dave was the one introducing new things to Laura. New Mexico's delicacy...the green chile. Laura is slowly coming around to green chiles and now boasts the knowledge that they can be green, red, OR Christmas!

During a long weekend road trip to Ruidoso, Dave took Laura to a romantic Italian dinner followed by stargazing. Dave told Laura during dinner that he had something special to make the evening even more romantic...but it wasn't a shiny object! Laura wondered if tonight was the night, but also didn't want to get too hopeful. Under the glittering stars, Dave set up the "something special," which happened to be dozens of candles. There couldn't have been a more picturesque setting for Dave to ask Laura to marry him. She joyously said, "Yes!" and they spent the rest of the evening celebrating the momentous occasion.

Dave and Laura will tie the knot and embark on their new adventure as husband and wife in Durango, Colorado!