Our story began in Boulder, Colorado, thanks to a little help from the dating app Hinge. From the very first moment we met, there was something special.

From Ian's perspective: “I knew she was the one the moment I laid eyes on her. I’d never felt that way about anyone, ever.”

From Lily's perspective: “He was confident, a little nerdy, very handsome, and so easy to talk to. I completely lost track of time on our first date and left thinking, ‘Finally, I’ve found a winner.’”

That first date was at License No. 1, a cozy speakeasy-style bar. We sipped drinks, talked for hours, and learned more about each other than we expected to in one night. For him, it was love right away. For her, the realization came a couple of dates later — but once it hit, it was undeniable.

Over time, we discovered countless things we had in common — including a unique “only us” fact: we’re both half-Dutch and half-American, with Dutch fathers and American mothers. What are the odds? (The odds are about 1 in 118,000 to be exact ;-)

Five years later, on our anniversary, Ian proposed at our favorite hotel in Taos, New Mexico. He waited until I was ready for the day, put on a playlist of our favorite love songs, and we danced together in our room. Then he got down on one knee and asked the question that changed our lives. There were tears, hugs, kisses — and a feeling that everything was exactly as it was meant to be.

Today, we fill our days with travel, cooking, camping, hiking, sunset walks, board games, and cuddling on the couch with a good movie. Our love is easy going, tenderly sweet, and we are each other’s best friends — happiest when we’re together.

And now, we can’t wait to say “I do” and start the next chapter of our forever story.