Finding love during a pandemic

The year 2020 will be in history books forever. Lives have been lost, families have been separated, and we have been wearing masks for the past 11 months and counting. We are living a "new normal". Today Nathan and I would like to publically apologize that it took the world shutting down to create the biggest miracle of our lives. Thank you world for taking one for the team, team Dawes! You see, during this year of crazy two mid single adults who were lonely and bored decided to return to the mutual dating app. Neither had any hope of it going anywhere, but in a moment of something that can only be described as God inpsired, two folks both swiped right. A conversation began and a shy fella and a sassy lady made a connection. That's right, a connection was formed in a pandemic. In the beginning the world was shut down and getting together was not an option. Thankfully technology had us covered. We began with virtual dates. Facebook messenger became our newest date location. We met and chatted and really got to know each other. We spent hours laughing and learning. We talked about everything from our childhoods, to our missions, to our hopes and dreams for the future. We asked the most random questions, and told the most wonderful stories. Finally on May 1, 2020 the restrictions were lifted for a bit. Nate and I decided to take advantage. We went and got take out from India Palace and ate at a park socially distanced. We played the game of things which basically consisted of each of us asking a thousand questions. Nate was extremely nervous and I thought it was adorable. We embraced that two hour opportunity to get to know a child of God more closely. Two days later we decided to do it all again. Due to long distance we figured meeting in the middle would be the most ideal. We ate some R&R BBQ and went for a drive. We had no idea where were going, but taking the right twists and turns we ended up with the most beautiful view of the entire Utah Valley. We sat and chatted and Nate grabbed my hand for the first time. I turned to look at him and could see it in his eyes, he wanted to kiss me. However, he was so nervous I doubted that he would do it. He surprised me and himself I beleive, the moment presented itself and he went for it. From there we continued to go on dates for 13 more days until he asked me to be his girlfriend. It was at a cute little park in Springville. We were people watching and chatting and he finally got up the courage. Ironically as soon as I said yes, he replied that "he loved me". I didn't really know how to take that since it had been like a month of talking, but I could sense his sincerity. (Side note, I've dated a lot and I have never seen a man so nervous in my life) After that experience, we bonded over our love of BYU sports, family, and faith. As restrictions lifted occassionally we got to meet each others families and a couple of friends. (Still hard to gather much during a pandemic) We didn't see each other often because course load for the BYU MBA program is intense, and driving during rush hour wouldn't allow much time together anyway. We did visit every night on messenger for scripture study. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all easy. There are challenges with two independent single adults who have been set in their ways for years, but we chose each other again and again. Each time we made that choice it became an easier decision. Now 10 months later we are married. We both believe there is opposition in all things, and so we thank you all for what you have endured to allow us to finally find our eternal partner in crime.

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