Before meeting, Pliny and Angela lived on opposite sides of the metroplex; their paths may never have crossed if it weren’t for God using the encouragement of friends and family to bring them together through a dating app. Angela was teaching high school Physics in Fort Worth, often spending weekends with friends, taking fitness classes, reading books, hiking, and attending Milestone Church. Pliny worked in marketing related to the firearms industry in Addison, while hunting on the weekends (often driving 6 hours to a deer lease while listening to Tom Clancy audio books on the road), creating adventure YouTube videos, fishing on his boat, and attending Dallas Bible Church.
Not long after using the dating app, Pliny and Angela’s profiles matched. They initially bonded over the importance of their faith, an appreciation for great breakfast tacos, and a love for the outdoors. Angela and Pliny spent hours talking on their first date at Mi Dia in Grapevine, over good Tex Mex food and a tableside guacamole experience. They enjoyed their time together so much that they went on another date two days later. They went to an Ax throwing bar, where Angela proved to be adept with pointed blades and pointed questions. A week later Angela went back to the Mi Dia restaurant with her parents and shared that something felt special about Pliny and that she really liked him. Pliny and Angela continued to go on dates together that November. In December, Pliny asked Angela to be his girlfriend after a romantic date looking at the Vitruvian Christmas Lights in Addison and she said YES.
Pliny and Angela continued to get to know each other the next several months. They spent hours on the phone at night, but also quality time on multiple great hiking trips and other fun dates. Oftentimes, they would have themed dinners, working together as a team to cook. Pliny introduced Angela to wild game (venison steak and dove poppers). Angela loved all the foods she tried. Angela fell in love with Pliny’s sweet, kind family that sometimes loves to play fun good hearted pranks (ask Mary Etta about the Ducks). Pliny fit right in with Angela’s family, playing Catan and various board games at family gatherings. A trip to Florida to visit Nana and Papa was another special family moment. Pliny and Angela’s faith is very important to them, they joined a local church together in Grapevine and continue to get connected and involved.
Pliny and Angela have continued to bond over long ten-mile hikes and a love of the outdoors. They backpacked together 30 miles, completing the Eagle Rock Loop (Northwest, Arkansas) in two and half days and can honestly say they were kind to each other the whole time (even in the rain and when a mouse got in the tent).
February 18th, 2024, in Big Bend National Park, Pliny proposed to Angela on the top of the Lost Mine Trail. Pliny handed Angela a note with the latitude and longitude marking that exact spot with a sweet thoughtful note. After Angela looked up, Pliny got down on one knee and asked Angela to marry him, she said YES! They celebrated with a romantic dinner at a Lajitas Golf Resort, overlooking the desert mountains of Mexico.
While preparing for marriage (and preparing to move into their first apartment together), Pliny and Angela remain focused on church, family, friends, date nights, and outdoor adventures. Pliny and Angela look forward to picnics on the boat this summer, pulling in catfish and celebrating the catch with fried Po’boy sandwiches.
We look forward to spending the rest of our lives together and having our friends and family present to witness this covenant. We can’t wait to see how God will use our marriage to grow us closer to Him and encourage those around us.
Love,
Pliny & Angela