I was in California pursuing my dream of becoming a chef after finishing my time in the army when I stumbled across Jessica's profile on Hinge and I was immediately hooked. Jessica was clearly vivacious, talented, and beautiful. When we matched, I wasted no time pulling out the "I will come over and cook" card. She insisted that first, we have a FaceTime date to ensure I wasn’t a serial killer. I got the clearance for a real-life meeting soon after, and our first COVID-inspired date went well. Things took their time developing and we saw each other about once a week in the beginning.

It wasn't until late February after a string of Napa wining and dining dates that I realized - I had found my fellow Foodie for Life. I slowly began to realize that we aligned in all the ways that mattered and shared a strikingly similar outlook and perspective on life. When my fun culinary school stint ended in April of 2021, I had a decision to make: move back to Kansas, or stay in California.

In truth, I had already put a down payment on an apartment back in Kansas. Jessica was reluctant to tell me to stay since it had only been 4 months of unofficially dating, but I knew she wanted me to. Even though our relationship was still young, I knew in my heart something was there and I needed to see it through. Serendipitously, I received a job offer the day before leaving at Bouchon Bistro in Yountville. Jessica wasted no time helping me find a new apartment in Napa, bringing a check to my landlord as a down payment while I was settling my affairs in Kansas.

During my time at Bouchon, Jessica was an absolute saint, dealing with my horrendous schedule, my constant "restaurant smells" and my persistent fatigue. In Jessica, I found my respite - a confidant, a tender lover, a smart and open-minded conversationalist. I could talk with Jessica about anything and be my 100% normal and true self. And she loved me for it.

There was never a single moment where "I knew", but rather an overwhelming mass of signs that eventually became too large and strong to ignore - I was going to marry this woman, and I could no longer deny it. In committing to this woman, I would also become a stepfather to an abundantly spirited 18 month old Shiba Inu named Leo. We became official in May of 2021 and I proposed 9 months later.

Jessica and I both say, "when you know, you know" and even if we didn't know everything about each other, we knew we would have a lifetime to figure it out.

With my brother Nate's help, I arranged my proposal at Storybook Winery in Calistoga. Piggybacking on Jessica’s 30th birthday - February 10th - would provide the adequate diversion to my plans, I thought. When Jessica and I showed up to the vineyard we were greeted by Rick, the owner of the property. He told us we would have the whole winery to ourselves essentially, except for a gentleman from Southern California who would be joining us on our tour to take pictures for his "catalogue".

Naturally, this did not fool my exceedingly clever Jessica in the slightest, but she was a good sport and played along. She was more quiet than usual as we walked through the vines of Zinfandel and Cabernet, while the wind was gentle and the sun bright. It was the most beautiful day of the year, and I knew that a higher power was blessing my actions on this day. As we reached the zenith of the vineyard, I asked Rick if this was the "most beautiful spot on the property".

He smiled and said all the spots were beautiful, but this would be "a good spot indeed". I asked Rick if he could give me and Jessica a moment. He smiled and told me to take my time, and walked down to the main building. Jessica and I were now alone - save for Sebastian, my not very incognito photographer who stayed behind as Rick walked away. I walked over to Jessica and set her things aside before clasping her hands.

You think you'll never forget moments like this, and in truth you may forget what you said or the exactness of the response, but you'll never forget how you felt. As I proposed, I realized I was surrendering my body and soul to this woman. I would soon have a sacred duty to honor, protect, and love her. She cried (and I did too) (and even our photographer Sebastian), and replied that she would be my partner for life.

Jessica and I have been blessed with incredibly fortunate and diverse lives up to meeting each other. We were complete before we met, but somehow in finding each other, we found a shared new purpose. We both enter this new stage of our lives with clear eyes and full hearts. We know there will be trials and tribulations, but we will never quit on each other.