FUMBLES, THEN A BUMBLE: COUPLE FINDS LOVE ONLINE AFTER HEARTACHE.

Carson Bradt knew that his future wife, Krystal, was “the one” even before he met her in person.

“We met on the dating app Bumble and talked on the app/phone for two weeks before meeting up for our first date,” Carson said. “I knew before I even met her just through the chats we had on Bumble. Once we met in person, it was confirmed that she was the one that I was going to spend the rest of my life with.”

That first date turned into a marathon. Carson and Krystal spent the next 36 hours together! They  met at a park and talked for hours. After picking up Carson’s dog, they went back to Krystal’s apartment, and stayed up talking until 5 a.m.

“That really started the foundation of our relationship,” Carson said.

Their first date kept going when Carson took Krystal out for her birthday dinner the next night at what’s now their favorite date night restaurant, Steak Street. Then it was back to Krystal’s place for another all-night rap session that went late into the morning again. 

“We got along so great, and our chemistry was through the roof. We never had a lull in our conversation and it seemed to flow so naturally. Time also flew by quickly because we were so compatible,” Carson said.

That long first date turned into a very short engagement. Krystal and Carson were married just five months after that memorable first date. After shopping, ice skating at the Charlotte Knights baseball field, and dinner at Fleming’s Steakhouse, Carson popped the question during a walk in downtown Charlotte.

 “I managed to grab the only two people walking in our direction at this beautiful park right in the heart of downtown to get the once in a lifetime video of Krystal saying, ‘YES!’

“We had similar life experiences, both being married to the wrong person before and getting divorced. We had the same lifelong goals, and big, caring hearts for others.”

Krystal first learned about caring about others as a girl growing up in Mocksville, North Carolina, in an extremely close family. Parents Lemuel and Lorene Harris raised Krystal, younger sister Jordan, and family dogs Peach and Pickles. Mammaw and Pappaw completed their family. 

Krystal and Carson quickly made a family of their own once they were married.

“While we don’t have any kids, she had two dogs to bring into the relationship and I had one dog,” Carson said. “Our dogs are our fur babies. We treat them as if they are our own kids. Krystal welcomed my dog, Bailey, as one of her own, and they formed a special bond right away.”

“Bailey loves to snuggle with Krystal in bed every night despite me being the one that raised her since she was a puppy. We are hoping to have our first child in 2025. She’s so sweet, loving and nurturing, it’s no wonder Bailey glommed onto her as her dog mom.”

When it’s Mom and Dad time, Krystal and Carson have bonded over a wide array of interests and activities.

“We enjoy many things – shopping, dining out, and cooking in together. We enjoy long walks on the beach, especially at sunset,” Carson said.

“We are very competitive when it comes to arcade games, such as air hockey. We also like playing mini golf wherever we can and get very competitive with that. We thoroughly enjoy cuddling in bed or on the couch binge watching our favorite TV shows like Bachelor/Bachelorette, Degrassi, and Friday Night Lights.”

Carson says his new bride makes him feel like the luckiest man in the world. He says she also has a few quirky qualities that bring a smile to his face too.

“She has cute, little tiny baby hands, feet, shoulders, toes and toenails,” Carson said with a smirk. “Hockey has three periods, but she always calls them either quarters or halves. She pees a lot and always announces when she needs to. I always respond with, ‘I know you do’ and she smiles and responds with, ‘Yeah yeah.’”

All kidding aside, Carson knows that his prayers and Krystal’s were both answered when they found each other. 

“Krystal is the most amazing blessing in my life. God put us on this earth and put us through everything we’ve been through to end up finding each other and spending the rest of our lives together.”

“She’s the first thing on my mind when I wake up and the last thing when I go to sleep. I’m truly blessed to get to spend my life with this smart, beautiful, caring, amazing woman.”