Imagine that you are just living your life day by day, hour by hour not knowing if you will ever find love. One kind soul just living her best life: single and ready to mingle. Another kind soul beaten and battered not knowing if he would ever find someone who would love him again. Little did they know that love was just one swipe away...

We rumbled and stumbled and eventually found ourselves on Bumble. She swiped right setting the stage for what would be the last…..first…..hello. What’s your yelp rating? she asked. My reply 4.5. From then on we were like peas and carrots. Enjoying every minute together, falling in love and planning our future.

Authored by: David

I had begun my new job back home in Brevard County, Florida where I already owned my townhouse, where my family lives and where I grew up. After three years of working full time in Orlando 5 days a week getting to work in a dream job of mine. I had felt God tugging on my heart to begin expanding my identity outside of my job title. I have always loved helping people and my career in social work but I wanted more and knew that the long hours and chaotic days would not be conducive long term to having a family or for finding the one whom my soul loves. I made the big transition to consider planting roots back home and fostering a life with more work life balance.

I began doing more volunteering with the Junior League where I had become a member the year prior, reconnecting with old friends and finding my way in my new job. I joined Bumble for Friends to connect with other women as so many of my childhood friends had moved away from home and many of my friends had begun their own families and were in the weeds of raising young children. I was looking to add to my community of awesome friends! Eventually I decided I was ready to get back into the dating world after a hiatus and was open to seeing if I found anyone worth possibly going out on a date or two with. The first or second night of the free version of Bumble Dating, I came across David. Admittedly, he had one picture of him in uniform and I actually thought, oh boy, I don't think I want to go for a guy in the military because they don't always come with the best reputations but this guy... he had such a sweet smile and kind eyes. I read through his profile a few times and thought he was really handsome and seemed to have good intentions from what I could glean from his bio. I swiped right and it was a MATCH!

I charmed him with my opener, but unexpectedly he met me with the same whit and charm. He came back to my question about his Yelp Rating with a 4.5 which obviously led me to questioning why he fell shy of a 5 star review. I wasn't just out here looking for anyone. I was looking for someone who was equally as awesome as I am. He said, because I would never believe him if he told me his actual rating of a 4.75 and that no one is perfect, so a 5 star rating wouldn't be real. I was hooked, guarded but definitely intrigued to see if there was more to this guy with the cute smile and kind eyes. To my delight we continued to have meaningful and deep conversations about our dreams, standards in a partner, and what sparked joy in ourselves. Since that day in July of 2023 we have been keeping each other smiling, laughing and challenged to be the best versions of ourselves.

Authored by: Catherine