I'm marrying the one

 The knot.com says there are 65 more days before I get to marry my man!

You know it is a new generation of relationships when we constantly send each other Instagram reels that highlight our goofiness, define our feelings, and accurately represent who we are together. 

Our relationship's foundation is rooted in the modern. We found each other on a dating app. First, we saw 3 initial photos and a few facts. By both "swiping right," we were matched. Text message conversations started. Sean always checked in with me after work, and I felt so special to wake up to a "good morning message." 

While planning our wedding, we each took some time, separately, to write our own version of "how it started & how it is going" We posted it to our wedding website, but I also want to share it here. 

Sean: I was working nonstop and had tried all the apps and failed miserably. I had said I would give Hinge a final try, and if nothing came, I was destined for the bachelor life forever! After a few weeks of nothing, I was finally matched with Rani, a beautiful woman who, from brief descriptions and lovely photos, seemed not like the rest. I sent the first message and waited to see if I was to be ghosted like all the rest. At last, she replied. Not to sound too eager, I waited 3 hours to respond. After a few weeks of back and forth, we finally exchanged phone numbers and texted each other daily, which led to the "first date." We decided to go on a hike, and I was nervous. Waiting at the trailhead, I finally saw her in an unforgettable outfit! Carhartt trail legging with the brown knee pads sewn in. (Don't worry; I have destroyed said item not to scare small children any longer.) We made the loop, and the conversation still continues to this day. We enjoy camping, cooking, museums, and anything to do with Western themes. She is the perfect yin to my yang, which is why you are all here reading this now as we look forward to our sharing our lives together forever.

Rani:

Picture the scene. It’s the age of online dating. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge. All that comes with selecting your profile photos, swiping right and left, awkward initial text messages, even more awkward first encounters in “safe locations” like a coffee shop or public park. By early 2020 I had had my share of failed dating attempts. Then came Sean. He was different. He sent me the “good morning” texts, (oooh, that means he’s thinking of me!) the daily check-ins, making the mundane day-to-day have greater value since I got to share it with him. Those early days, I had to put our first in-person meeting on pause since my family was visiting from out of town. 

Then in early February 2020, we met in person. I suggested we do one of my favorite local hikes. We met up at the trailhead and immediately started swapping stories. We bonded over a love of camping, nature, and bemoaned how much of our time our jobs demanded of us. 

The Pandemic that spread fear throughout the country and the greater world, rocked our fledgling relationship as well. We stopped seeing each other in person. But kept up a constant stream of text messages and photos. After about 2 weeks, we agreed that we really did want to be together and would be a part of each other’s bubble. 

We now go on annual trips to a friend’s cabin in Desolation Wilderness. We spend almost every evening together cooking dinner in the kitchen. We enjoy trivia games. We battle it out on the mini golf course for the lowest score. We survived managing a bathroom remodel together while living in a one-bedroom condo. We prioritize being around for our families and have loved bonding with the nephews on each side! Sean has found his way into a special place in my extended family’s hearts and mine.