Our story begins three years ago in the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area. Andrea, freshly arrived from St. Louis, Missouri, had spent a few months settling into the DMV after leaving her hometown. Johnny, a transplant from Detroit, Michigan, had been living in the area for over a decade.

On November 13, 2021, fate stepped in when they swiped right on each other’s profiles, and just like that, they were a match! Not one to waste time, Andrea saw the tagline in Johnny’s profile that said “shoot your shot” and decided to send a playful DM: "(basketball)... just shooting my shot." Johnny, intrigued by the message coming from “Drealium” (which she said sounds like “Helium”), replied, and the two exchanged a few more messages. Before long, Johnny added Andrea on Instagram, and their courtship began.

Their first date took place on November 21, 2021, at 4:30 PM though it was moved to 5:30 PM for Andrea. She had mentioned she was a pescatarian, so Johnny carefully picked a restaurant in the Ballston area that would meet her dietary needs. Andrea, of course, arrived fashionably late at 6:00 PM, but when she walked in, she did so with style sporting a chic black hat and a pink trench coat. In Johnny’s words, his first impression was that she was funny, energetic, and cute. As for Andrea? (Now yall know I was not wear black and pink..anywho back to the love story.)

They spent the next three hours talking, losing track of time before they realized it was getting late. Before leaving, Andrea wanted a picture of her outfit to share on Instagram. Johnny, ever the gentleman, obliged with a mini photoshoot inside the restaurant. As they stepped outside, the Christmas tree in Ballston was glowing, and Andrea couldn’t resist another picture. Johnny, with a smile, happily obliged once more.

They walked to the parking garage, found Andrea’s car, and continued to chat for another 15 minutes..neither of them ready to say goodbye. Andrea says Johnny was trying to kiss her, (and he was) while Johnny insists that Andrea was hoping he’d kiss her. Either way, no lips touched that night, but both left with good impressions of each other and made sure to check in later to confirm they both made it home safely.

The next week, they didn’t see much of each other, as Andrea returned to St. Louis for the holidays and Johnny had family visiting. But after their second date a few weeks later, Johnny saw something interesting on Andrea’s Instagram, a video with Serani’s “No Games” playing in the background. We joke now, but Johnny thought she was sending him a subliminal message, and it was this that led to their third date. The evening ended with a woman from Andrea’s building yelling, “Girl, he’s looking back!” and Andrea smiling from ear to ear.

Over the next couple of years, Johnny and Andrea’s love story flourished. They met each other’s families, spent time in Georgia on a family retreat and spent almost every day together.

In April 2023, Andrea moved in with Johnny and they continued to explore cities and countries together—Chicago, New York, St. Louis, Detroit, Nashville, Georgia, Myrtle Beach, Panama, and more.

In March 2025, with the iconic St. Louis Arch in the background, Johnny dropped to one knee and asked Andrea the question she had dreamed of hearing: “Will you marry me?” Andrea, still in disbelief, thought for a moment that it might be a dream. But after a few seconds, with a heart full of joy, she said yes!

Our journey began online during the COVID pandemic, when restrictions were in full swing. We took a leap of faith, trusted one another, and embraced the risks that came with building a connection in such uncertain times. And now, we’re so excited that this incredible journey has become our future a future filled with love, adventure, and everything we’ve always dreamed of.

A&J