Clear Cut Couples: Eric and Valerie
Eric and Valerie met on Hinge in January 2024 in Atlanta, GA. Their love story was serendipitous and meant to be.
They quickly fell in love over their deep love of cinema and many other shared experiences. It's been loads of laughter and many buckets of popcorn together since.
They set their first date at Barcelona Wine Bar in West Midtown, Atlanta after quickly hitting it off. It was clear from the get-go that they had a ton in common, but also an easy camaraderie. They ranged from classic first date small talk all the way to serious conversations about what they wanted for their futures.
Valerie was so nervous that she couldn't eat, but Eric made her feel comfortable and at ease at every step from there and now he still does as they continue into their future.
They have been dating since January 2024 and made it official on May 5, 2025. It's been a year and a half of bliss!
They have shared so many incredible experiences since then. Everything from traveling to the French Riviera and Paris to cozy weekends spent in cabins in Blue Ridge. One of their most special dates was at Le Clarence in Paris, a two-star Michelin restaurant that they looked forward to experiencing. It was the most romantic evening filled with incredible food, ambiance, and wine to pair. They have also had amazing memories in New York, where Eric is from. Recently, they made the trip upstate to Bolton Landing for a friend's wedding and got to see the autumn leaves change around Lake George.
For their engagement, they had already planned a nice holiday dinner and grabbed drinks early at Marcel next door, where they celebrated their 1 year anniversary back in May. When they arrived, Eric took Valerie across the bridge to the restaurant and proposed.
West Midtown is where they met, had their first anniversary, and where they got engaged. They celebrated with champagne back at Marcel and had a romantic dinner at Little Sparrow after, reminding them of their very special time in France a few months ago. The next morning, Eric planned a second surprise with an engagement party filled with family and friends who came from all over the country.
Valerie was completely surprised! Even though they had designed the ring together, she had no concept of what it would look like in real life. She said, “I find myself staring down at my hand all the time now, just so amazed that I'll be wearing this for the rest of our lives. It's so simple and yet perfectly unique. Sarah really helped bring our dream ring to life.”
They are still relishing in their recent engagement, so nothing is concrete for their wedding plans. They hope to get married within the next year somewhere with a garden in the southeast to celebrate with their closest family and friends. Congrats you two! We are SO happy for you!
Photos by: @peytonmariahphoto