Natalie:

Back in 2020, I wanted to venture out by trying dating apps. It was a new step for me to get out of my comfort zone. Hinge was my dating app of choice. There were some matches but none seemed to catch my eye until I saw Steven's profile. One thing I learned is that I want God to be the center of my relationship and Steven mentioned just that. We matched and then went on our first date. After the first conversation, I was smitten and wanted to know more about him.

Steven:

I had recently moved to Austin for a new job opportunity and was exploring the dating scene. We always felt that God had this planned as the weekend that I had met Natalie, I was invited to a party from my bible study group back in Arlington. At first I didn't want to go due to the drive, but unfortunately my dad had went through a car accident (he made it out fine). Wanting to make sure my dad was okay, I drove out and went back home. Seeing that he didn't suffer any injuries other than the damage to his car, I explored Hinge to see who might be a good match. Lo and behold, Natalie and I matched and we set a first date on October 18th, 2020.

Natalie:

We planned for boba tea and continued to talk until we were hungry. Date pt. 2 was at bb.q Chicken.

Steven:

I revealed that I actually live in Austin and I was only here (Arlington/Grand Prairie) for the weekend to visit family. I always like to say it took one night only and she was hooked.

Natalie:

I was very surprised by that as I totally thought he was in the same city (cause we matched in the same location). We had a good conversation and I wanted to see him again. I decided it was worth to try to pursue the relationship so we kept texting each other.

We continued to talk and many dates were scheduled along the way.

The proposal was carefully calculated by Steven Tran for several months in early 2022. He planted into Natalie's head that it is a progressive time and women can propose instead. She fully believed that in order for the two of them to get married, she would have to propose to him. She looked up classes nearby that would allow her to handmake his engagement ring. Little did she know that he was way ahead of her and already had her engagement ring custom made.

December 13, 2022, rolls by quickly. It was their two-year anniversary and they had reservations to eat at one of the best sushi spots in town, Uchiko. It was a working Friday, so the plans were set for later in the day. Steven texted Natalie, "I have planned for us to go on a hike and see the sunset at McKinney Falls State Park. Dress nicely as we are heading straight to Uchiko after." Natalie thought this strange to be dressed up for a hike, but she knew that Steven is a planner, so she brought several pairs of shoes. One for hiking and two pairs of dress shoes for the nice restaurant.

They reach the park and began their stroll to the falls. There, a photographer was taking a picture of a couple. Steven asked if they should ask him to take their photos as it's their second anniversary, but Natalie who was shy quietly denied it. Before long the photographer actually reached to them first claiming that he was a new photographer who wanted to build his portfolio and asked if he could take some pictures. They accepted and before long Steven and Natalie were posing as if they were models.

Steven asked for a Charlie Angel's pose where they were standing back to back. After some time, Natalie turned around and he was on one knee asking, "Will you marry me?"

Obviously, she said "Yes!" and it was sweet moment. Steven hugged the photographer and it turned out Natalie had met the photographer before! It was Steven's old high school friend, but the face mask and new hairdo concealed it. It was a wonderful day and the start of a new life together.