In 2016, Tony and I matched on a dating app called Tinder. I'm sure many of you know what Tinder is. If not, it is an app where singles in the area can swipe left if not interested on someones profile and right if you are. Tony and I both swiped right on one another's profile, then unmatched one another many times before having any real conversation. One of the first times Tony and I talked, he was a 22 year old single guy who had just started his first "real job" and enjoyed going to the bar with his friends. I on the other hand was 19 and spent time with friends, worked part time, and went to college.

Safe to say, we didn't have many similar interests and didn't pursue one another any further. Not long after "unmatching" we matched yet again. I think by the time we matched for the final time, it was more of a laugh to swipe right because neither one of us were interested. The final time we matched, we ended up exchanging phone numbers. We had a little small talk over text, Tony talked a lot about the stress of his new job and the conversation really didn't go anywhere until I decided to ask what his plans were for the upcoming weekend.

Who knew that one question that I asked only to make conversation, would bring us here over seven years later. I told Tony that I wanted to see the Botanical Garden Light Show (I did not, I was just keeping the conversation going.) He asked if I would like to go and since 12-10-2016, we try to see holiday lights on that day every year. That day was also his brothers birthday, which he skipped to take me on a date. The night of our date, Tony asked if I would like to continue our date as we were pulling up to his parents house after the light show.

I texted my mom thinking she would help me come up with an excuse. She asked if I liked him and if we had a good date and if so, I should continue the date. After walking around the light show in the freezing temps where Tony offered me both his gloves, coat and hot chocolate repeatedly (I'm lactose intolerant and terribly wanted a warm drink but I knew I would have to end the night there if I indulged) I said yes to hanging out for a little longer. As soon as I walked in the door of his parents house, I knew Tony was raised by two of the best people I will soon share a last name with. Dino and Lisa were so kind and welcoming.

Tony was too embarrassed to tell his mom how we met so he told her an old job he used to work at. That didn't last long, she found out rather quickly! Those first few months of dating weren't always easy as we had about an hour of distance between us. I went to college and worked, Tony worked full time and seeing each other wasn't always easy. While it wasn't always easy, we always made it work. About eight months into dating, we decided to get our first apartment together. Tony and I look back and laugh now because after only knowing each other for less than a year and moving in together, we wanted to run the opposite direction from each other as we were learning how to live together.

Since then, Tony and I have lived in a few different places, adopted two dogs and have bought a house. While wedding planning isn't always stress free, doing it together has been my favorite chapter yet and we cannot wait to celebrate with all of our family and friends.