Our first date was at a cute little watering hole called Water Witch near my (Mariah’s) downtown apartment. I was extremely nervous because this was easily the prettiest girl I had ever gone on a date with, but I did my absolute best to act cool, calm, and collected. Internally, however, I was fighting for my life.

In a shocking twist that still confuses scientists to this day, I actually arrived on time. I’m usually late to literally everything work, birthdays, casual hangouts, probably my own funeral someday. Meanwhile, Brielle, who is normally the human embodiment of professionalism and punctuality, was running late. Saturn was definitely in retro-grape, or whatever its called.

After waiting a few minutes, I decided to grab a drink to calm my nerves. As I confidently ordered an Old Fashioned like a sophisticated adult I am, Brielle suddenly appeared behind me. Naturally, I doubled down on the restrained confidence and ordered her a whiskey Coke with the swagger of a man who had paid taxes on time every year.

We sat at a little corner table on the outside patio, and for the next hour and a half I absolutely interrogated this poor girl. I pulled out every move I had to impress her. I showed her my ticket from the Vatican, my UTA card, and (drumroll please) the crown jewel of adulthood, my Costco card. Nothing says “marriage material” quite like access to bulk groceries, discounted gas and cheap hot dogs.

Somehow, despite my aggressive interviewing tactics and weird flexes, we got along swimmingly. After drinks, we decided to walk over to Proper Burger for a snack, where we demolished some delicious but incredibly messy french fries.

Eventually, I walked her back to her car, cautiously optimistic that I might get a kiss. I did not. But I told her I had a great time and that I’d text her later, which felt smooth enough but not too eager.

I walked back to my apartment slightly drunk, very giddy, and with a grin from ear to ear. I sent her a goodnight text, praying I'd get a reply in the morning.

Fun Fact: she texted back and... the rest is history.

After Mariah and I first started talking (before we had met) she ended up ghosting me. I wont lie my ego was a little bruised but nothing I couldn’t come back from. About a month later I randomly decided to hit her up- surprisingly she replied instantly. I arrived four our date one time but did not expect it to take me 10 min to find parking. I was super nervous walking in late and found her at the counter ordering some drinks. Mariah ordered me a drink without asking what I wanted and I will say I was pretty impressed with this move. I was also blow away by her beauty and could not take my eyes off of her all night., I still cant! As soon as we sat down and started talking all my nerves left and we talked about everything and anything. Next thing I knew an hour had already passed and it felt like we had just started talking. I don’t think I stopped smiling the whole time as I listened to her talk and show me everything she had in wallet. She was soooo proud to show me her Costco card, I will admit I was impressed by this. When Mariah asked if I wanted to go get some fries I knew this girl knew the way to my heart already. After food Mariah was so sweet and walked me to my car. Now since I couldn’t find a parking spot I ended up parking down a residential street and was nervous I may get a parking ticket. Once we got on the street I could see the parking ticket and was so embarrassed. I did everything I could to not let this girl see I got a ticket, luckily she didn’t see it. Mariah had asked me on a 2nd date and I will say I was extremely excited for this. She cooked me diner at her place and then took me to the Natural History Museum. I knew she liked dinosaurs but I learned that night she is OBSESSED with them she is- especially the Utah Raptor. I loved walking through the museum while she told me everything there is to know about dinosaurs. When we got back to her place I offered to walk her up to her door. At this point I wasn’t sure how she was feeling towards me and was nervous. As I was going in for a hug to tell her goodbye Mariah said, “We should do this again soon.” I was so excited she wanted to see me I immediately changed from hug and went in for a kiss instead. Best kiss ever! I was very shocked by myself but glad I went for that kiss. I knew this was a girl I wanted to get to know and we have been inseparable ever since.