How we got here

I was incredibly nervous about our first date. Caitlin was gorgeous, and on top of that, I was about to try sushi for the very first time, so I was all over the place right up until we finally met and sat down together. Almost immediately, I felt a welcoming, calming presence that is still difficult to fully describe. Talking to her felt natural, and even though we had only just met, there was already something about her that felt familiar and safe.

As the hours went by, we lost track of time, and Caitlin ended up late for work, but she reassured me it was all worth it. Over the next few days, we met again for breakfast, and then again for lunch and a movie night. I have never met anyone in my life who I connected with so deeply and instantly.

Only a few short weeks later, I told her I loved her, somewhat accidentally, in front of our favorite bagel shop. What began as a slip of the tongue quickly became the most honest thing I had ever said. Since then, Caitlin has brought more warmth, laughter, creativity, and love into my life than I could have imagined.

Words cannot accurately describe the overwhelming joy and relief I felt when she said yes against a snowy mountain view from a lodge near Vail, Colorado. I have never been more impressed by another person. She is incredibly talented, beautiful, thoughtful, and uniquely herself.

She has helped turn a collection of ordinary days into a home and a life that feels completely ours. Planning this wedding with her has only made me more excited for everything still ahead of us.

She brings me more love and happiness than I ever imagined finding, and I feel unbelievably lucky that I get to choose her, laugh with her, and build our strange, joyful, beautiful life together.

What first caught my attention about Robbie was a charming photo of him with his beloved old dog. Coincidentally, my own dating profile featured a picture of me with mine. After years of online dating, I was not ready to put all my eggs in one basket, but Robbie immediately stood out. He was curious, funny, charming, and remarkably easy to talk to. On our first date, I was drawn to his kind eyes and mischievous smile. He told me it was his first real experience with sushi, so I happily became his guide, encouraging him to try some of my favorite strange things. He was sweet, adventurous, and adorably determined with his chopsticks.

Feeling safe with Robbie was not one sudden moment. It grew slowly as I revealed little pieces of my weirdness and he welcomed every one of them without judgment. A few weeks later, he accidentally mumbled that he loved me outside our favorite bagel shop. We had both been avoiding saying it too soon, even though we already knew. Once the words came out, they simply felt right.

Since then, we have built a home filled with shared projects, new traditions, and two cats who fully consider Robbie their dad. I have never felt more supported in changing old habits, pursuing new interests, or becoming more fully myself.

Robbie proposed during our first getaway together at a beautiful lodge near Vail, Colorado. After several days of cooking, playing games, watching shows, and building fires, he knelt in front of me, smiled, and opened the ring box. I absolutely wailed. I was overwhelmed with gratitude that the universe had finally brought me someone who fits me so perfectly.

Planning our wedding has reinforced how well we work as a team. I look forward to whatever our future becomes, whether it includes children, animals, travel, strange traditions, favorite recipes, or a lifetime of organizing his clutter. Someday, when we are wrinkled, gray, and old, I know I will still look into those same kind eyes and fall in love with him all over again.