I first laid eyes on Jay in the modern fashion; in my best friend’s mom’s basement through a phone screen. There we were scrolling through my Hinge backlog, and then there he was, dressed to the nines in a red flannel, axe slung over his shoulder, looking every bit the lumberjack with the beard to match. And then be-still-my-heart he wooed me with a rock pun.

On our first date Jay stumped me with a question he had a ready answer to… What is something you love to do because it brings others joy? I eventually came up with my answer, and it earned Jay a second date… and a third… and he kept planning the most unique and special dates doing things and going places I had never thought of before, ever surprising and delighting me with his silly smile and creative soul.

And he’s kept it up ever since – always the adventurous spirit who tries the odd dish, always ready to take me out for a date night I never expected, always there to make me think about the person I am and want to be. All the things I was looking for, found in a place I had scoffed at for years. No not Caitie’s mom’s basement, I always knew that was where I’d find love. The apps. They got me in the end damnit. But I wouldn’t have it any other way because they brought me Jay.

I remember flipping through the dating apps just to see what happens, no long term plan in sight. I was happy, but maybe fate could wow me even more.

Then I saw a picture of a girl at Harry Potter land, with a smile happier than I’d ever seen. I browsed her profile and saw she liked… rock puns? I thought real hard and… made an awful pun. I couldn’t believe I sent it, but I really couldn’t believe Kelly liked it! We talked, and I sent as many rock puns as I could think of!

We met and our first date was rocky as can be. But, I felt something special and I asked her for another. Date 2 lead to Date 6, and then lockdown! We hit a crossroad, we were supposed to stop seeing anyone. I was so glad we both thought, “let’s see where we might go”. And worst case… she stops buzzing me in! XD

Lockdown was like the world taking away the very ground I stood on, but Kelly kept me solid like the very bedrock below. We’ve since managed to grind against each other, and sometimes cracks appear, but she also holds me tight… more than anyone ever has. It’s really been metamorphic (sorry, not sorry).

I am the best I can be, and Kelly is why. I won’t leave her side, and I think she’s staying by mine, cause we are getting married!