Hey there!
If you're here to learn a bit more about us, you've come to the right place.
How did you two meet—and what was your actual first impression of each other?
Nolan: We met on Hinge. I paid $3.33 for a rose to send to Emi (it was actually a 3 pack for $10). A rose gets you to the top of their inbox, and I liked what I saw from Emi's profile, specifically the photo of her galloping on a horse, and the USC-UCLA connection.
My almost immediate impression of Emi as we texted was “she seems really cool, I like that she uses alot of exclamation marks and really has such thoughtful responses” — most people are uber boring in the text stage, but Emi really stood out. She was late to our first date at Cira, and I sat twiddling my thumbs really hoping that I was physically attracted to her, because the texting was so great. I really felt such friendly energy from her.
My first impression of her physically was "Damn”, the good “Damn”, like “Dayum. I like her.” I walked up to her, said hello then gave her a hug and as I turned around the first thing I thought to myself was “Alright (exhale) be cool.” I was so excited about how hot I thought she was and didn't want to mess it up because I was too interested. I later learned that being too interested in Emi was actually the better strategy, but it took me a few weeks to figure that one out.
The horse photo from Emi's Hinge profile.
Emi: We met on Hinge, a popular dating app. My first impression of Nolan has to be from the first picture on his profile: lounging on a chair outside, shirtless with a guitar. I thought, “this guy is confident… borderline cocky,” but I was intrigued enough by our shared Los Angeles connection (USC, UCLA romance? Cute!) to give it a shot.
On our first date, we were the first people in the restaurant and the last ones to leave. I remember thinking on the car ride home, “I have a weird feeling this person might change my life. I’m not sure how, but I really think he might.” I guess my intuition was right!
For bonus points, Nolan really enjoys trying to convince people that we met in Los Angeles back in 2017. At that time, we both lived there and Nolan drove for Uber so it could’ve happened - though I maintain I don’t think an Uber driver could’ve convinced me to go on a date with them, no matter how handsome.
The infamous shirtless guitar photo from Nolan's Hinge profile. (He would like everyone to know he does, in fact, play guitar).
What’s your favorite weird or wonderful thing to do together?
Nolan: We've done such a good job having the slowest mornings on the weekends and when the weather is good, while sitting in the sun, drinking tea and eating breakfast. We have the same sleep schedule, so 99% of the time we fall asleep and wake up at the same time so its this steady flow between us all the time. 28.5 months in and we still have long conversations, while chilling in the mornings or going for long walks.
Emi: Watch Love Island UK. I was into it first, but Nolan quickly became very invested in the British reality TV franchise. Just ask him about Tom Clare, his other love.
Who said “I love you” first—and how did it go down?
Nolan: I said it first and it was apparently “chaos”. Emi threw a flag on the play, but I'm still challenging her judgement to this day. We were actually having our first argument, which turned out to be a misunderstanding between us (as a lot of arguments are). I just felt like I couldn't keep talking to Emi with that argument energy without letting her know that I was in love with her. It was almost 3 months in when I said it, so I was 100% sure that I loved her, and it had almost burst out several times before this. After I said it Emi paused, silent for about 15 seconds, which felt like years, before she said “I love you too, but (something something about the argument)”.
Emi: Nolan. As he described, he blurted it out in our first disagreement/misunderstanding. Red flag? Maybe. But we made it through so I’ll forgive him.
What’s something unexpected you have in common?
Nolan: We prefer deserts that are not “too sweet”.
Emi: On one of our early dates, Nolan and I discovered that we probably stood a few feet away from each other at a Mac DeMarco concert in Los Angeles in October 2017. Nolan was of course on a date with someone else, but to think… we could’ve rubbed shoulders!
Tell us about the proposal! Was it a surprise?
Nolan: The proposal was a surprise. I wanted it to be a surprise, and I thought Emi wanted it to be in public (I'm not sure why I thought that), so I felt like Websters Wine Bar, a lowkey dinner spot Emi and I love, would be the perfect spot, because she'd never expect it.
We don't eat at nice restaurants much, so going somewhere nice would arouse suspicion. I reached out to the owner, who is friends with Emi, and she helped me plan the ole ring on the dinner dish routine.
Once the ring was revealed, I grabbed it and got down on one knee. I was actually not going to get down on one knee, but Tanya, the owner of Websters told me, “oh you gotta get down on one knee, everyone I know where the guy didn't get down on one knee got divorced.”
I don't want to end up divorced, so I got down on one knee! I was so nervous, when I asked her, my voice went down an octave as I said “Emiko Myers, would you marry me?”
Emi: Kind of a surprise! I expected it to be on our anniversary, a Sunday, but Sunday came and went. I was certainly not expecting it on a random Thursday as evidenced by my oversized sweater, baggy jeans, and winter boots! No tears, but I was happy to celebrate at one of our favorite date spots in Chicago, Webster’s Wine Bar (check it out if you're in town). No better way to celebrate a big milestone than with champagne and French fries!
What’s one small, silly thing you love about each other?
Nolan: There’s no better feeling for me than when Emi is really happy and smiling then says “I am so in love with you” in her sweet lovey dubby voice that I know so well now. Every time I hear that I think, “ahh man, I am so lucky. I am really glad that I'm doing something to get such great feedback.”
Emi: Living in Chicago, there are many months of the year where it’s really cold which also means cold hands after dog walks or even being inside. Whenever Nolan touches me with cold hands, I recoil and exclaim, “your hands are cold!” And he always responds, “But my feet are warm. No cold feet around here,” which I find endlessly sweet and adorable.
