Tired of bad first dates, I recommended we meet at an Indian spot, so that way if the date was bad, at least the food wasn't. Her profile on Bumble caught my eye a little bit differently. I don't exactly know why honestly, but if I had to try to guess, perhaps it was hominess of her holding a pie. Or maybe it was her bio, not in the words themselves, but in how obviously thoughtful she was from the way she wrote.

We didn't talk very long on the app. I tried to jump to first dates pretty quickly to avoid wasting my time with people who were only good at talking through text. We didn't get too deep into anything, but had a few things in common, so I thought "why not?"

In person, it was a different story. We talked about anything and everything throughout lunch, and after, until the waiter politely kicked us out. We continued talking while perusing through a nearby pet store. She was into animals - a big plus. Oh, but she owns rats - red flag (I'd later find out how wrong I was to think that).

At the end of the date, we hugged and said our goodbyes. From the last impression, I didn't think she was into me, so I sent a "I had a fun" type text, expecting a ghost or "thanks, but no thanks" response. To my surprise, she responded back normally, and continued to do so.

We proceeded to a second date walking around the harbor, and funny enough, both of us were kinda sick and dressed poorly. Again, the conversation never stopped. I distinctly remember her making me play the guitar to prove I actually could and wasn't just one of those dudes who poses with one for social media and dating apps. Here, I learned she was a fellow metal head and documentary connoisseur - a big win. (Later, us both being metalheads proved useful for long car rides and blasting metal around the house).

By the third date, I knew there was something special when she slapped her cookie out of my hand because "it wasn't ready yet." She "made" me try all her speciality baked goods: cookies, nutella brownies, and monkeybread, because it happened to be her birthday.

As time went on, the conversation never stopped, nor did the fun. I've always felt a sense of adventure seeing Rae, even now in the little things like coming home from work. I've never met someone who understands me on the level she does and can communicate so well.

Seeing her interact with her friends and our community throughout the years, I know how lucky we all are to know such an innately compassionate, caring soul. I can't wait to marry her and "start the next chapter" of our lives, as the idiom goes. That said, we own a house together, so it also would have been a bit awkward if she said no... :p

See ya'll in October! Thanks for joining us for our special day :)

Travel

Delta Hotels Baltimore North

The Westin Baltimore International Airport

BWI Airport Marriott

Gramercy Mansion