From a Hinge Swipe to a Thai Island Proposal: Inside Olympian Jeanee MoCrazy and Tariq Abou-Bakr’s Love Story

Sometimes a love story begins with a grand gesture. Other times, it starts with something simple, a thoughtful comment, a shared sense of curiosity, and the courage to swipe right.

For Jeanee MoCrazy and Tariq Abou-Bakr, their relationship began on Hinge with a small but memorable moment: a compliment in French.

A First Impression That Stood Out

When Tariq first came across Jeanee’s profile, he was immediately struck by her style.

Jeanee’s fashion and presence were impossible to miss. “Jeanee's style and fashion was so eye popping on her profile, it immediately grabbed my attention,” Tariq recalls. Wanting to stand out, he paid attention to the small details, like the languages she spoke. Since Jeanee had listed French, he opened with a compliment: “très chic.”

For Jeanee, the message worked.

“He responded to one of my photos in Europe, very classically dressed, saying ‘très chic,’ which I thought was cute,” she says. Curious, she clicked through to his profile. She noticed his distinctive hair, his interest in a queer relationship, and a sense that he might be someone intriguing. “So I thought I would give him a try.”

That swipe would turn into something far more meaningful.

A Connection Beyond the Surface

From the beginning, their relationship felt different. At the time they started dating, Jeanee, an Olympic skier known for her intense athletic career, was not competing. Their connection had space to grow outside of sport before her schedule returned to full intensity.

“We connected beyond the sport,” she explains. “By the time I went back to competing, it had been over six months.”

Still, the realities of elite athletics soon entered the picture. Skiing meant long stretches of travel and training away from home. “I was a little worried it would be hard traveling away so much,” Jeanee admits.

But the couple’s communication made the distance manageable. “There was a little learning curve,” she says. “But we have always had such good communication that we were fine with being apart. And he has always been so supportive of my skiing.”

A First Date That Felt Effortless

Both remember their first conversation, and first date, as unusually natural.

“I remember we talked for a long time,” Jeanee says. “The conversation was really easy. Not awkward like some first dates. We pretty much immediately became friends… with a clear interest in becoming more.”

Tariq had been on plenty of dates before, but this one stood apart. “Our viewpoints on the world and what we wanted were so obviously aligned,” he says. “Everything just came so naturally.”

It didn’t take long for him to realize the connection might be something rare. “I knew this was someone special for me and something I needed to pursue with all possible effort.”

Talking About the Big Things Early

Many couples avoid serious conversations in the early days of dating. Jeanee and Tariq did the opposite.

“We talked about serious things right away,” Jeanee says. They discussed how neither of them wanted a strictly traditional life, preferring instead to explore and experiment with how they shaped both their relationship and their future.

They even discussed topics many couples postpone for years, potential wedding locations, the importance of a prenup, and child custody agreements.

“It took less than three months to realize we really aligned on all the important things,” she says.

Tariq agrees that their openness set the tone early.

“A lot of couples shy away from tough conversations, but we never have,” he explains. “We made sure all our goals were aligned very quickly within the first few weeks of dating.”

Finding the Right Partner at the Right Time

Their approach to love was shaped by life experience. For Jeanee, that meant clarity about what mattered most. “Religion, politics, and kids, I wanted to know those things right away,” she says.

Tariq shared the same mindset. “I truly think Jeanee and I met at the perfect stage of life,” he says. “Our past experiences gave us an understanding of what we both needed and wanted in a relationship.”

Neither was interested in settling. Instead, they waited for a partnership that felt truly right.

“All our past experiences led us to the point where we wouldn't accept less than the perfect match,” he says.

A Proposal in Thailand

That perfect match eventually led to a proposal in one of the world’s most stunning settings: the islands of Thailand.

The moment unfolded on Phi Phi Island. The couple met their photographer and planner, Camila, in the small downtown area before being guided to a private traditional long-tailed Thai boat reserved just for them.

“She gave us a speaker and told us we could play music,” Jeanee remembers.

Tariq pressed play on something deeply personal: a song he had written, recorded, and released for their one-year anniversary titled Hold Your Ghost, a track about their love lasting beyond death.

The boat glided past towering limestone cliffs that plunged dramatically into crystal-clear water before stopping in a secluded cove.

The photographer suggested they take a few photos together, followed by individual shots. At first, Jeanee found the order slightly amusing.

“I was thinking it was silly to take them before we got engaged,” she says.

After Tariq finished his solo photos, Jeanee was asked to sit on the edge of the boat and look out toward the cliffs. Moments later, Tariq walked over and knelt beside her.

“He said, ‘It’s hard to put into words just how much I truly love you, but I plan to spend every day of the rest of our lives showing you. Will you marry me?’”

Her answer came immediately.

“Of course, I said yes right away.”

“It was a really beautiful and loving moment I will cherish forever,” she says.

Why Thailand Felt Right

The location wasn’t random. “We always talked about getting engaged someplace on a cool trip,” Jeanee explains. Thailand hadn’t always been the specific destination, but both had long wanted to visit. When the opportunity arose, it felt perfect.

For Tariq, the choice reflected how they approach life together. “We have always made a point to make sure our relationship is not ‘basic,’ so to speak,” he says. “I knew the proposal had to be somewhere exotic and special.”

As experienced travelers, they wanted the engagement to feel like an adventure. Thailand offered beauty, culture, and a sense of discovery, plus an added bonus Tariq appreciated while planning.

“The affordability of cheap massages to make sure Jeanee was constantly pampered,” he laughs.

“I am so happy with how it all turned out.”

Supporting Each Other’s Dreams

Both Jeanee and Tariq lead purpose-driven lives. Jeanee balances elite skiing with her advocacy work through the MoCrazy Strong Brain Injury Foundation, while Tariq pursues music and storytelling. Their relationship, they say, thrives on mutual encouragement.

“We both fully support each other and our dreams,” Jeanee says. She even pushed Tariq to begin recording his music, something that has since gained momentum.

In return, he has never hesitated to support her demanding athletic schedule.

“He never complains that I travel without him, even when I’ve sometimes been gone for over a month,” she says. “We miss each other, but we talk every day and both fully know our relationship is worth it.”

Tariq sees that support as foundational. “We place significant importance on encouraging each other’s dreams and goals,” he says. “Sometimes it means time apart, but whether we are next to each other or across the world, our communication and love never skip a beat.”

A Life Built on Faith, Adventure, and Honesty

Adventure is a defining element of their relationship, both literally and emotionally.

“We love to adventure around the world and also with each other,” Jeanee says. Their partnership, she explains, is built on openness and honesty. “If we want to explore in any way or go any place, we just talk about it. Never hiding or beating around the bush.”

For Tariq, the relationship itself is an anchor.

“My faith lies in Jeanee and our relationship,” he says. “My allegiance is to her and our future.”

Together, they pursue a life guided by purpose, growth, and exploration.

“It’s an amazing thing to be so aligned with someone on these important pillars of a relationship,” he adds. “It really makes it hard for anything to ever grow stale.”

Looking Ahead

As they begin the next chapter, both are excited about what lies ahead, not just professionally, but personally.

“I am looking forward to a life with my best friend,” Jeanee says. She imagines continued travel, building a home together, starting a family, and hearing Tariq play music, whether in their living room or on a major stage.

“I know he is always on my side, always supporting me,” she says. “It’s such a wonderful feeling to be so loved and to love him so hard back.”

For Tariq, the future feels equally full of possibility.

“Any life I build with Jeanee I know will be beautiful,” he says. “Whether it’s raising a family or pursuing individual dreams, I know we will always strive to impact the world in a positive way.”

What started with a simple “très chic” has grown into something much bigger, a partnership rooted in honesty, ambition, and the shared belief that life should always be lived with purpose and adventure.