Our Story

How We Met (Jake’s Version)

August 29, 2023 - It all started with a swipe. I had just moved to Dallas, got a dog (shout-out to Charlie!), and decided to get back on the dating apps. I loved seeing Amanda's profile - her smile in all her photos, her pride as a Veterinarian and Texas A&M alum, and her dancing at a wedding. I swiped first, and fortunately, she swiped back.

Sept 7, 2023 - For the first date, Amanda wanted to meet up after work on Thursday, but I kinda had a dilemma. I was already busy most nights that week, so I fortunately convinced her to meet for a coffee date before her shift. As soon as she arrived, I was nervous. I didn’t know someone could look that incredible in black scrubs. After stumbling over my words and anxiously turning the date into a mock interview, I left thinking there was no way she’d want a second date. An hour or so later, I sent a simple noncommittal text that said something like, “It was nice meeting you for the coffee date this morning. Fun talking with you about X, Y, and Z. Hope your shift is going well.” I wasn’t expecting a response. Not only did she respond, but she offered and set up a date for us on Saturday night.

Sept 9, 2023 - For the second date, she made a dinner reservation at a local Tex-Mex place called Las Palmas. We sat on the patio, the weather was perfect, and I just kept telling myself: “Don’t mess this up. Don’t mess this up.” Over several hours, we talked about family, hobbies, and past relationships; enjoyed plenty of food (later, I learned I committed a faux pas by ordering mainly seafood at a Tex Mex place, but she forgave me when the ceviche and shrimp were better than expected); and sipped on some drinks (yes, I know - I catfished her by letting her think I drank). Thoughtful, kind, family-oriented, brilliant, attractive - she had me wrapped around her finger. After dinner, we went to The Library (she tricked me - it was a nice bar, not an actual library) and enjoyed another round of drinks there. As the date ended, she kissed me. Less than a year later, I got down on one knee and proposed to the woman of my dreams.

Truly a modern-day love story if you ask me! Never once did I think an amazingly kind, thoughtful, handsome, and family-oriented man would be hiding out in the crowded sea of dating app users here in Dallas. I really should send Bumble a handwritten thank you note for allowing Jake and me to “swipe right” and kickstart our love story. 

Our first date was certainly an interesting one… an early morning coffee date before I had to head to work. Hilarious choice on Jake’s part because if you know anything about him, he absolutely does not drink coffee. Picture this – me in my work scrubs, Jake pretending to drink coffee as we trade all the family, work, and socially acceptable “first date” questions for 2 hours. I remember calling my friend right after wondering if Jake and I would even make it to a second date… But to my delight (and surprise!), Jake sent a follow-up text a little later and a second date was on the books – only 2 days later!

Now, the second date was a real catalyst in the trajectory of our relationship in my opinion. Jake mentioned on our first date that he had moved to Dallas about 2 weeks prior so I thought a little date night touring some Dallas staples would be perfect. We had an amazing dinner at one of my favorite restaurants with a nightcap at my favorite piano bar. We laughed, smiled, and lost track of time sharing stories and experiences. I had all the butterflies – I was certainly catching feelings and catching them quickly! It was so easy to be myself around Jake, to share my dreams and goals and I felt so at ease on our second date that I knew (and was desperately hoping) that this could become something really special.

After that second date, every day starts with the same feeling: absolute giddiness. I feel overwhelmed with pure happiness that Jake wants to spend the rest of his life with me, and I cannot picture a future without him by my side. Our engagement was the best day of my life. And I cannot wait for March 22nd to become my new favorite day when I officially become Mrs. Dinkel! 

Thank you to everyone for taking part in our fairytale story and celebrating with us! We are so fortunate to have an incredible family and the most fabulous friends to share our love and happiness with. Thank you to everyone traveling near and far to be a part of our most perfect day. See you in Dallas soon!