To truly start our story, we need to go back before our first meeting. Derek had to rethink his list of red flags—especially the "no dogs" rule—and open his heart to the idea of sharing life with a furry friend. Meanwhile, Winnie realized it was time to set aside her rigid expectations and embrace a more open-hearted, adventurous approach to love.

Little did we know, these seemingly small shifts would set the stage perfectly for the moment our paths finally crossed.

Derek came across Winnie on an app called Hinge. Seeing her profile and noticing the adorable dog by her side, he decided this would be the girl with a dog he'd finally take a chance on. Winnie, ever cautious, let Derek's like sit untouched in her inbox for four long days, carefully contemplating whether to take the leap. Finally, on November 1, 2022, while scrolling through her matches during a quiet moment at work, Winnie showed Derek’s profile to a coworker. It was that coworker’s enthusiastic encouragement that convinced Winnie to finally take a chance and match with Derek, marking the start of something truly special.

Neither of us knew then how transformative a single swipe could become.

From there, conversation was slow-going. Both Winnie and Derek felt burned out from the dating scene. Winnie set herself the gentle goal of sending at least one message per day, determined yet cautious about moving forward. They messaged back and forth in this deliberately unhurried manner for nearly a month before finally scheduling their first date.

Fate, however, seemed determined to test their resolve. Their first date had to be rescheduled when Derek became sick. Then again when Winnie fell ill. Then, yet again, when Derek got sick once more. After three cancellations, persistence and perhaps curiosity kept them going, and they finally set a coffee date for December 18, 2022.

Even on the day itself, uncertainty lingered. Each came close to cancelling at the last minute. Winnie, with family visiting, jokingly announced as she headed out the door, “Bye! I'm off to another terrible first date!” Neither of them imagined that this seemingly doomed coffee date would instead become the unexpected start of everything they’d been waiting for.

Winnie arrived at the coffee shop first, already three cups of coffee deep into her day, and wisely opted for tea instead—determined not to jitter herself out of her seat. Derek walked in a few minutes late, a bit surprised (and secretly impressed) that Winnie had already ordered and paid for her own drink.

Later on, they both confessed with playful honesty that each had found the other to be MUCH cuter in person than expected. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and soon they found themselves laughing, chatting, and connecting deeply for nearly an hour and a half.

Reluctantly, Derek had to cut their first meeting short, already late to a lunch he'd scheduled with friends. But the instant chemistry they both felt made one thing absolutely clear: this first date was far from the last.

The whirlwind of the holiday season made finding time for a second date challenging, but Derek and Winnie were determined. They finally arranged to see each other again on January 1, 2023, deciding on a playful afternoon of Mario Kart. Winnie confidently assumed she'd win—only to be shocked (and slightly humbled) when Derek easily beat her.

Something shifted profoundly that day. Winnie left Derek's place with a flutter in her heart, quickly sending a video message to her close friend. Grinning ear to ear, she admitted playfully, yet seriously, "I'm in so much trouble with this boy. I'm definitely going to marry him one day!"

Derek, meanwhile, took a more cautious, logical approach. He wasn’t immediately sure of the path ahead and found himself stepping back, just enough to inspire Winnie to chase him. This dynamic was something entirely new for both of them. Winnie, however, never doubted it was worth the effort. She could sense, deep in her heart, that Derek was the person she'd been waiting for, and she was determined to prove it.

They continued seeing each other, with Winnie happily taking the lead, embracing this playful chase with enthusiasm. Valentine's Day soon arrived, and even though Winnie was stuck working the night shift, Derek made sure the day was special. Ever thoughtful, Derek delivered flowers, a heartfelt card, and a playful stingray toy for Nova, Winnie’s beloved dog, leaving them carefully placed on her doorstep so she'd find them as soon as she got home.

Their bond continued to deepen, each meeting strengthening the quiet assurance that they had found something uniquely special in each other. Finally, on March 12th, 2023, as Seinfeld played softly in the background, Winnie and Derek found themselves cuddled closely on the couch. In this perfectly simple moment, Derek gently asked Winnie if she wanted to be exclusive, solidifying their relationship and marking the official start of their journey together.

After officially becoming a couple, Derek and Winnie settled into a comfortable rhythm, seeing each other regularly and building a deeper connection with each passing week. Life felt easy and light, filled with small adventures and shared laughter.

Before Derek’s trip to Mexico, they shared their first Easter together—one that became especially meaningful. They spent the day dyeing Easter eggs, one of Winnie’s favorite traditions, and when Derek learned that Winnie’s family would be out of town, his family warmly invited her to join their celebration. Surrounded by kindness and new connections, Winnie felt truly welcomed.

Shortly after Derek left for Mexico on the trip he had won at work before they had started dating. It was during that trip, in the midst of sun-soaked days and late-night conversations with his friend, that Derek found himself talking about how things were going with Winnie—and realized something big. He was in love with her. But he wanted to wait for just the right moment to tell her.

That moment, he thought, would come during an upcoming trip they had planned to St. George to attend Winnie’s graduation, where she was honored as the student speaker for her class. Derek imagined taking her on a beautiful hike after the ceremony and telling her how he felt as the sun set behind the red rocks.

But life had its own timing.

On the evening of May 3rd, 2023, while they were slow dancing in Derek’s living room, Winnie felt the words rising in her chest. She wanted to say it-she loved him-but she hesitated, not wanting to scare him off. Derek, sensing her inner struggle, teasingly encouraged her: “Say what you’re thinking.” He never expected her to actually say it first.

But she did.

“I love you,” Winnie said.

And to her delight, Derek didn’t hesitate; he said it right back. It wasn’t the mountaintop at sunset he had imagined, but in that quiet, heartfelt moment, it was perfect.

From there, Winnie and Derek had many adventures. They traveled to Boise to visit Winnie’s sister and her husband, where they attended Winnie’s first rodeo. They explored Island Park and visited Yellowstone, soaking in the beauty of the outdoors. They danced together at Winnie’s first concert, visited ZooLights where they had their faces painted like kids again, and continued making memories big and small.

When Winnie had her tonsils removed, Derek was an incredibly kind and supportive partner throughout her recovery. They spent Thanksgiving with Derek’s family, sent out their first Christmas cards together, and celebrated their first real Christmas as a couple in 2023. They rang in the new year with Winnie’s family, feeling more and more like a team with each passing day.

In early 2024, Derek took Winnie to California—somewhere she had never been. He brought her to Disneyland, which quickly became one of her favorite memories. Not long after, Winnie introduced Derek to something new too: ice fishing, a first for him, in February 2024.

Then, in April 2024, they embarked on the trip of a lifetime: a ten-day adventure with Derek’s family through Amsterdam and Paris. Wandering through canals, museums, cafés, and cobblestone streets together, it was one of the most unforgettable experiences they’d shared yet—and a beautiful chapter in a story that was just beginning.

Shortly after returning from their unforgettable trip to Europe, Derek and Winnie set off on another adventure—a cruise to Mexico that Derek had won through work. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as the cruise happened to fall over Winnie’s birthday. True to form, Derek went out of his way to make it the most memorable birthday yet. He had their stateroom decorated just for her, adding an extra touch of love and celebration to an already magical trip.

After they returned home, they made another trip to Boise to visit Winnie’s sister and her husband, cherishing more time with family. When they got back, Winnie ran her first-ever race—the Timpanogos 5K. Derek, as always, was right by her side. They wore matching outfits, cheered each other on, and both set personal records. It became one of those small but significant milestones that deepened their bond even further.

The summer continued with more memory-making: camping at Yuba Reservoir with Winnie’s friends, peaceful weekends at Derek’s family cabin, and a joyful Bear Lake family reunion with Winnie’s relatives, full of laughter and lake days. They wrapped up the season with another trip to Island Park with Derek’s family—soaked in adventure, late-night talks, and laughter.

With each passing day, each shared moment, and each spontaneous adventure, Derek and Winnie fell even more in love, grateful for the life they were building together, one beautiful memory at a time.

It was during this season of joy and adventure that Derek knew Winnie was the one. Quietly and intentionally, he began planning something extraordinary. He custom-designed her engagement ring, making sure every detail reflected just how special she was to him. Then, with the help of close friends and family, he set to work crafting the perfect surprise proposal.

A weekend trip to Park City and Derek’s family cabin was already planned to celebrate Derek’s 30th birthday, and he decided it would also be the perfect setting to ask Winnie to spend forever with him. Ahead of time, Derek and his loved ones transformed the cabin’s patio into something magical: fairy lights strung above, candles glowing softly, a warm fire crackling, and a letter board set with the words “wanna go around again”—a quote from Winnie’s favorite show.

The weekend began with a cozy night in Park City. After work on Friday, Derek and Winnie drove up and enjoyed a romantic Italian dinner before heading back to their hotel to relax. The next day, they wandered Main Street, watched a world record being set for the longest shotski, and browsed shops, continuing their shared tradition of buying a Christmas ornament from every place they travel.

Later that day, they grabbed pizza and drove up to the family cabin. That’s when Winnie began to notice a few unusual details. As they pulled into the driveway, Derek offered—unexpectedly—to carry the pizza upstairs himself. He explained that his parents had stayed at the cabin the night before and he just wanted to make sure they were out. Slightly puzzled, Winnie went along with it, though she did note that the back porch light was still on—a rare thing for his parents to forget.

Winnie brought their bags into the bedroom while Derek “checked upstairs.” A few minutes later, he came back and asked her to follow him up. Confused (especially since they hadn’t finished unloading the car), she hesitated, but he gently insisted.

As she reached the top of the stairs, she heard music playing—another unusual detail that had her mind racing. “What is going on?” she wondered. Then, she saw it—the beautiful setup on the patio glowing under the autumn leaves.

Still unsure what was happening, she looked at Derek and asked, “What’s this?”

With warmth in his eyes, Derek replied, “I know this weekend has been all about me, but I want it to be about us.”

And then, he got down on one knee.

Surprised and overwhelmed with emotion, Winnie began to cry as Derek asked her to marry him. Amid the golden leaves, flickering candles, soft fairy lights, and the fire’s warm glow, surrounded by a quote that meant so much to her, she said yes.

It was early October, the air crisp and full of love, and in that unforgettable moment, Derek asked Winnie to be his forever.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

W&D