My mom and dad met on November 29, 2021—four years ago now—on something called Hinge where my mom gave my dad a rose, which meant she was extra into him. His mountaintop “Pooh Bear” photos and the crinkles in the corner of his eyes are what drew her in. My mom knows a fellow outdoorsy weirdo when she sees one!

They met up IRL at City Park in Denver. My mom was the persistent one, frequently inviting him to join in on the awesomeness of her life. My dad, however, was hesitant after a string of Hinge dates that were disappointing to say the least. Luckily his friend, Tony, nudged him to go anyway.

So he did. Off he went to meet my mom and my brother, Basil, for a drink in the park straight from climbing. Mom didn’t know yet that dad didn’t drink, so she asked him to bring beers. Always a good sport, my dad brought a beer for my mom and a LaCroix for himself.

Their first date went the way that lots of first dates go, which is kind of awkwardly. My mom wasn’t sure my dad would be into her and my dad didn’t quite know what to make of this super pretty but kinda quiet. When dad dropped mom off in his Astro Van, which was his home at the time, she expected the worst—that dad would blow her off.

But he didn’t. They kept hanging out and mom’s awkwardness fell to the wayside, letting her intelligence, weirdness, and penchant for activities shine through. She was exactly the outdoorsy weirdo my dad had been looking for.

My mom and dad had no idea that that date in the park would be the beginning of the joining of their lives and the creation of a tiny human—me!—to be a part of their forever adventures. But it was, and now we’re here, ready to celebrate our little family’s forever together.