After countlessly swiping left on so many profiles, I finally came across one that had more than the allotted fishing photos. I immediately said yes! After agreeing to a date at a concert in Allerton Park the rest is history. Well not quite. After agreeing to the date I sort of had second thoughts. It was a combination of online dating fatigue and the realization I was going to be meeting someone I didn’t know basically in the middle of nowhere. I politely canceled the date and went on with my life.

Dan however was not ready to give up so quickly. With a little help from a buddy noticing that maybe a concert in the woods might not have been the best first date idea, I was surprised with a text a week after I had canceled. This time he suggested something more casual. I was intrigued as I was not used to someone on an online dating app actually putting in much effort. I agreed to drinks and a few days later had to reach back out to see when he would be in town. Again with the help of his buddy (thank you btw) he said “I can be there tonight”.

It was just a casual but fun first date. We both felt like we never had to try hard to impress each other. Conversation was easy. Beating him at pool…maybe not so much. After that first date came many others and we were with each other often. I had to take my time as it was all a new feeling to me, but he’ll tell you he fell early.

By our third month, I decided it was time for him to pass the family test. My family is super close and even though I wasn’t sure if it was too soon I did feel like he would fit in well. It was our family Christmas and yes I made him meet almost the entire family at once (parents the night before). He passed with flying colors and we decided to be officially boyfriend/girlfriend that night. On New Years I was the first to say “I Love You”. To be fair, he implied it many times before.

By month six we had taken a trip up to Chicago where I got to pass the family and friends test. I’ve since Facetimed with more family members and can’t wait to meet them in person. In March we drove down to Florida for him to meet my sister’s family and pass the final test…the niece and nephews. Hint: it went great, but some ice cream and candy were involved.

On our final day in Florida, we all gathered on the beach and listened to my niece play us a Moana song on her ukulele. Dan said it was just what he needed for courage because after she sang I heard him call my name. When I turned around he was on one knee holding my mom’s wedding ring. He explained why mine wasn’t ready, but I didn’t care. It was the greatest moment, with the greatest man, and I got to share it with my family. It wasn’t till later that evening we realized it was our 6th month anniversary.