We matched on a dating app called Hinge in April 2022, initially bonding over our shared love for Charlotte FC. From the start, our conversations were filled with humor, lighthearted banter, and our mutual excitement for the city’s Major League Soccer team. It didn’t take long for us to realize we shared not only a love for sports but also a genuine connection that felt effortless.


As we got to know each other, we laughed about the infamous “train wreck” dates often associated with online dating. I joked that, so far, I’d managed to avoid those disastrous stories and teasingly asked Eli if he might be my “train wreck,” since everyone is bound to have one eventually.


Eli, always quick with a response, laughed and said he could make it memorable—perhaps by taking me to an expensive steakhouse and leaving me with the bill, or even proposing on the first date. I played along, saying I was totally fine with the proposal as long as it came with champagne (because let’s be real, champagne is kind of my thing). But I warned him: any real “train wreck” date always ends in blocking the other person.


To my surprise, Eli embraced the joke. The very next day, he went to Claire’s, purchased a cubic zirconia ring, and fashioned a “ring box” out of a small earring box, even writing “Zales” on the top in his own handwriting. When he picked me up for our first date at Queen Park Social, he had created a Spotify playlist for our date titled Chaotic Trainwreck, featuring Taylor Swift (my favorite!) and some of his own favorite songs. We still listen to it today.


True to his word, Eli kept the humor going throughout the night, choosing a table near the bathrooms and, mid-conversation, pulling out the “ring” and pretending to propose. The entire bar went silent as everyone stared. Even the bartender, who knew it was our first date, looked stunned. Finally, we broke into laughter, explaining it was a joke, and the whole place erupted with us.


At the end of the night, Eli dropped me off, and we shared a hug (I have a strict no-kissing-on-the-first-date rule, although this time, I really wanted to break it!!). Later that night, I texted him to say, “You don’t really think I’m going to block you, right?” He replied that he had a wonderful time and couldn’t wait to see me again. Two days later, we went on our second date at Jack Beagles, where we bonded over margaritas and mac and cheese.


By our third date, we were bar-hopping around Lake Norman, pretending we were part of the “LKN crowd.” Eli later admitted it was during that date he realized he wanted to marry me. Three months later, he moved in and we became Charlotte FC season ticket holders together, a decision that has created countless memories, both together and with our best friends.


In January 2024, he proposed at Lake Norman, surrounded by family—including my mother, who flew in from San Diego as a surprise. He chose Lake Norman as the proposal location as a tribute to that third date, which he says was the moment he realized he was in love with me.


Now, looking back on our journey, we couldn’t be more grateful for that first chaotic trainwreck date and the adventures that followed. Eli has become not only my partner but also my best friend. We are so excited to celebrate this next chapter of our lives with you!