On May 11, 2019, we had an Uber pick us up from my apartment and we effortlessly spoke the entire ride to Ocean Springs. We were on our way to meet a group of friends and have some drinks. At some point, our Uber driver interjected and asked how long we had been together. We both hesitated. Then, Devon pretended to look at his watch and said, “about 15 minutes”. Our Uber driver was in complete shock and said she had thought we were married and been together for years! When she found out we were on our very first date, she told us that we should get married because of how happy and natural we seemed to be together.

This may have been because Devon and I had met a few times prior to our official first date. There were some fireman on the same shift that would go out together on their days off and bring their girlfriends/wives along too. It was during one of these nights that I first met Devon. I was seeing someone else at the time, but was attracted to Devon almost instantly. He says that his first impression of me was that I was pretty, but too high maintenance for his liking and a little stuck up.

Fast forward several months and Devon and I were both single. Chaise and Allison, a couple we had both become friends with, had previously suggested to me that I consider dating Devon. I was open to it and said, “Sure! Set it up!” A few weeks later, I ran into him at GNC where he was working part-time. I felt like I had made a complete fool of myself. Afterwards, I called my mom and told her that any hope I had of dating him was for sure gone. Contrary to what I had thought, Devon's impression of me changed and he was determined to take me out, but didn't know how to ask.

Some weeks later, I was in DC visiting my brother and his girlfriend, Natasha. I told them about Devon and the GNC incident that I thought had ruined any chance of him wanting to date me. It was during that weekend that Devon first reached out to me - via a dm on Instagram because he didn't have my number yet. He was out boating with Chaise and Allison and, with their encouragement, and probably having had just enough to drink, messaged me.

And now - almost five years later - here we are getting married. Just like our Uber driver said we should, 15 minutes into our first date.