Erin Jones, of South Windsor, and Benjamin Hallmark, of Westfield, Massachusetts, met through an online dating app in January 2021 after both had nearly given up hope of finding the right person.
A Real-Life Hallmark Romance
Erin tragically lost her boyfriend, South Windsor police officer Matthew Mainieri, in 2018, when he died after he was assaulted while attempting to break up a fight at a bar in South Carolina. When she was finally ready to start dating again, she was greeted with one disappointing online profile after another.
Erin said Ben’s profile stood out because he was genuine, upfront, and looking for a serious relationship. Ben was drawn to Erin’s resilience and life experience, along with her warm personality.
Their first date took place on Jan. 25, 2021, at The Barn in Granby during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the awkwardness of masks and meeting a stranger for the first time, both say the conversation flowed easily, and they felt comfortable with each other right away.
Four years later, on the anniversary of that first date, Ben proposed. The couple is now embracing what they describe as a real-life Hallmark romance, with Ben’s last name being a fitting connection to the famous greeting card company.
The couple tracked down a vintage Hallmark sign on eBay to display at their head table, and they’ve even mailed wedding invitations and engagement photos to Hallmark, hoping someone at the company might take notice.
Erin and Ben’s story proves it’s never too late to find love. They encourage others who may be discouraged by dating later in life not to give up hope. The couple will marry in South Windsor later this month, and one very special guest is already confirmed: their beloved dog, Adora, a Dogo Argentino who helped catch Erin’s attention when she first saw Ben’s dating profile.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
