A first date, a second chance, and the unexpected joy of finding each other.

We met online — Tinder, of all places — almost exactly six years ago. Our very first date was on October 24th, 2019, which, coincidentally is one day shy of this celebration.

At the time we had no idea we were stepping into something that would change both of our lives.

John was first drawn to a photo of me with a Labradoodle, assuming I must be an animal lover. This proves to be true, although the dog in the photo wasn’t actually mine.

John still jokes that he was “duped,” but in the best possible way!

I was drawn to a line in John’s profile. It was something about looking for someone who could feel at home in box seats on Broadway and mucking out a pig stall. I wasn’t so sure about the pig stall part, but the contrast was intriguing and I was curious.

From the start, we had an ease between us. The conversation flowed, the laughter was real, and the chemistry was undeniable. Both of us knew ourselves and we were able to bring authenticity, self-confidence and self-awareness to the relationship.

At the time, neither of us were actively seeking a relationship. I had lost my partner and husband of 23 years just a year earlier, and had only recently started dating again. John had been divorced for about a decade and was raising three kids. His youngest Ella is now 17 years old.

Nonetheless, it all felt familiar and right from the start.

Together, we’ve created a life full of movement and meaning. We split our time mainly between Washington, D.C. and Oldest Stone Farm. In the next year, I plan to build a modern "green" farm house on the site of an existing 1825 historical structure (located on the far side of the property).

We plan to eventually make that our primary home while still maintaining a presence in DC.

(Please visit the registry for the tractor fund!)

More than anything though, we cherish the life we are building. A life grounded in family, friends, animals, and the unexpected joy of a second act.

At this point in life, we know who we are. We’ve both lived, lost, and learned. And we know how rare it is to find someone who feels like home.

This is our unfolding story.

We are both grateful to share this moment with you.