The Lucky Lady: Jennifer Nichole Davis, 32, Public Health Researcher
Her Leading Man: Preston Travis Carter Jr., 32, Cybersecurity Engineer
The Big Day: October 11, 2015
Wedding Location: Baltimore, Maryland
How did you meet your man?
We met through an online dating website when I appeared in Preston’s “Daily 5 Matches.” Preston spotted my dating profile and clicked the appropriate button to indicate his interest. We exchanged emails for about three weeks before meeting in person. The chemistry on our first date was electric and I knew right away that he was someone that I definitely wanted to spend more time with.
What was your past dating life like?
My previous relationships were not great and they taught me many lessons about life, love, and waiting for the person that brings out the best in me (and vice versa). Dating the wrong guys allowed me to fully appreciate the right one when he came along.
Were you looking for love at the time?
I was open to finding love (hence my presence on a dating website), but I was not overly engrossed with meeting “The One.” I approached online dating with the intent of having fun, meeting interesting people, and doing new things.
What was your first impression of him?
When we first met in person, I remember feeling relieved that I had not been “catfished” and he indeed looked like the photos he posted online, if not better! He had a very welcoming smile and genuine eyes that immediately made me feel comfortable with him.
And, his of you?
He said that he liked my smile and the outfit that I was wearing as it made me look friendly and down to earth. I was wearing a business casual outfit and had actually come from another date before meeting Preston for our first date.
Most romantic date ever?
Last winter, we had a romantic date night at one of our favorite local restaurants called the “13th Floor.” This restaurant is at the top of a historic building and offers sweeping 360-degree views of the Baltimore skyline. It also features a lounge singer and a pianist and guests are permitted to dance if they feel so inclined. We shared a bottle of wine and dined on delicious entrees and soaked up the romantic ambience of the moment. As always, we had amazing conversation and towards the end of our dinner, it started to snow which made the city look magical and topped off our romantic evening.
Best vacation moment?
Our best vacation was our trip to the western Caribbean island of Roatan, Honduras. This was our first international trip together which happened to occur around my birthday in December 2013. We spent four lovely days relaxing, learning more about one another and trying new things together, which really strengthened our relationship and allowed us to connect on deeper levels.
At what moment did you know he was “The One”?
My “aha” moment came early on in our relationship while driving to work. I was stuck in traffic, listening to Pandora when “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross played. Tears immediately began as I processed the song lyrics and realized that it described my feelings for Preston to the tee. It was then that I realized that he embodied everything I wanted and needed in a mate and my heart was so full of love for this man. This surge of emotion was completely unexpected but I knew from that moment on, that I wanted to spend my future with this him.
How did he pop the question?
Last fall, we planned a vacation to San Diego to attend a friend’s wedding. Because we were visiting city that I used to live in (and he had never visited) and we’d be in San Diego on his birthday, I took the lead on planning our activities in order to show him the best parts of my favorite city. On the day of the zoo trip, we walked over a bridge to a Rose Garden and shortly after arriving, my sister and her family came walking over that same bridge with my grandparents in tow. As I said my hellos, Preston grabbed my hands to slightly pull me towards him. He began talking to me about how much he loved me and wanted to spend forever with me, and before you knew it, he was down on one knee asking for my hand in marriage. Of course I said yes, as tears began to flow and I just stared at the beautiful ring he put on my finger.
Photos: Catherine O’Hara Photography