Welcome to Our Love Story!

Chapter 1: Something Good from Online Dating?

Oh my goodness! Do we have a STORY! Nelson and I met on Hinge (a dating app). We literally texted every single day for like two weeks before deciding to actually go on a date, but even then, I knew he was special! This man actually texted me, like I mean could for real hold a conversation in text! It's like finding out unicorns exist! There was none of that "hey what's up?" boring conversation that everyone puts up with from online dating. Like he was asking me about my favorite shows, my thoughts on friends, if I had a good day- stuff like that. We would send each other funny memes, videos, random baby pictures and sometimes even talk about random things from our childhoods. Like do you remember that show "Rock of Love"? lolol But anyway, I'm totally getting off topic! Let’s move on.

Chapter 2: First Date Adventures

Our first date was in Richmond, Va -where I (Rebecca) am from. I had never heard of Smithfield before and had no idea where it was. (Honestly that's not saying much though because directions are *not* my thing). Needless to say, I had no idea that Richmond was almost two hours away from Smithfield. But Nelson insisted that he didn't mind driving and that he would meet me at Belle Isle, a park outside the city. It’s right beside the river and there's a bunch of rocks in the water where people can sit and enjoy the scenery. Nelson packed a picnic and picked up a pizza and we sat on those rocks and talked for hours. No lie, I'm pretty sure it was around 100 degrees, but we were really just having such a good time, it got dark before we realized how long it had been. That was July 26, 2020. (yep mid-pandemic hence the outdoor date lol)

Plot Twist! The Break-Up... or Was It? 💔🤔

Okay so this is where the story gets rocky (pun intended) - About 6 months later, we break up. Well if you could call it that. We were exclusive but not official. (Dude, the dating scene is so weird. Glad that's over) Anywayys... we break up because I wanted a label and a serious relationship, and Nelson just wasn't sure. He never led me on, and never made me feel like I couldn’t trust him. He was always super open with that, but just needed more time.. It just came to a point where we clearly wanted different things and it didn't make sense to stay together.

Chapter 3: The Unexpected Reunion

Over the course of the following six months, we stayed in touch. Maybe talking once every couple of months or so, mostly me reaching out when I drank. *types in embarrassment* But no serious or daily conversations. Then out of the blue *buzz*, it's a text from Nelson saying "Do you want to go to Belle Isle with me on Wednesday?" OH MY GOSH!! Of course I do!!

But then the day came and I backed out hours before we were supposed to meet. I had thought it over and came to the conclusion that it wasn’t the best idea.. That Wednesday was July 28, 2021. I kept thinking about how it was almost a year exactly since our first date and we would be going back to the same place and everything! Knowing my feelings, and how we weren't on the same page about the relationship, I texted him and told him it wasn't a good idea and that I changed my mind. I still had feelings and we couldn't be "just friends".

So that became the day that I ruined the most romantic surprise ever because I was trying to be LOGICAL. He then explained his whole plan for the date and about how he really wants us to talk everything through and how he was going to ask me to be his girlfriend. SO I changed my mind AGAIN and met him! We call it our "second first-date". We've been together ever since. And that's why we picked July 27, 2024 as our wedding date. It's the day in between our two first-dates! <3

Chapter 4: A Question & a Rock on a Rock

Oh! And did I mention that on April 3rd, 2023, Nelson took me back to that same rock at Belle Isle, took out a ring, and asked me to be his wife? Nelson is my whole world. He's my soulmate; my solid ground, and I thank God for him everyday. We support each other more than anyone else in our lives and we're best friends. We make the best team and can tackle any problem that comes our way. We can be silly, sing karaoke, make dumb jokes, and sing loudly in the car. But mostly, I can't imagine doing life with anyone else. I love you Nelson Parker Moody III, and I can’t wait to be your wife!

Xoxoxoxo -Rebecca