Like many good stories, ours starts in the hallways of middle and high school, though back then, we were more like background characters in each other’s lives. He was a year older, effortlessly cool (in my eyes), and I was just the girl who thought he was cute from afar. We never really spoke, but we somehow stayed connected through the years on Facebook and Instagram — an invisible string that would eventually lead to something big.

Fast forward about a decade. I had just gotten my golden retriever, Sam, and I couldn’t help but notice that the cute guy from high school had an equally adorable dog named Ruby. Still, we were just social media strangers with mutual puppy admiration… until fate (and a temporary stay in Dunn) stepped in.

One bored evening, I downloaded Hinge. One of the first profiles to pop up? His. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I sent a message: “I think our dogs should meet at this point.” To my surprise (and delight), he responded.

We met for our first date at Lucknow Bottle & Tap Co. on November 11, 2022. It was simple, easy, and just felt right. From there, life unfolded, dog playdates turned into dinner dates, and casual conversation turned into something much deeper.

On July 19, 2025, in the same place it all began, he proposed at Lucknow. And now, here we are — planning a wedding, building a life, and forever grateful that our dogs brought us together.

- Sarah