The groundwork was laid for Gabbi and Kyle to meet in 2017 when Gabbi wrote a paper for her graduate computer science course titled: "Strategic Swiping: An Analysis of Costly Preference Signaling in Tinder's Asymmetric Dating Market."

The paper had mostly been an excuse for Gabbi to optimize her dating app profile -- she created multiple "bots" or versions of her profile that automatically swiped to understand which profile was the most popular and why.

Needless to say, when Kyle came across her profile in January of 2023, he succumbed to its perfectly optimized charm and promptly swiped right.

After matching on Tinder, Gabbi and Kyle met for drinks late on a Sunday night on 14th Street in Washington, D.C. This was remarkable given Kyle does not drink, and both like to be in bed early. They quickly hit it off, staying out late at the surprisingly crowded bar and enjoying each other's company. Kyle walked Gabbi back to her apartment, and they both agreed: they were not looking for a serious relationship.

A year later, they're engaged! And couldn't be happier. They've spent the year going on all kinds of adventures: traveling around the world, spending lazy afternoons reading together, cooking and learning new recipes, going to hot yoga classes, hiking, and overall just having a blast.

The proposal was perfect. Kyle planned a New Year's Eve 2023 trip to one of Gabbi's favorite spots: Old Town, Alexandria. He booked a hotel room right on the water and had dinner reservations for tapas, the couple's favorite! He knew there was an earlier fireworks show scheduled (around 6 pm), and on the way to dinner, he pulled Gabbi aside and got down on one knee right as the fireworks started. Gabbi immediately accepted and cried happy tears for the next few hours while she ate patatas bravas on the waterfront with her now fiance.

Gabbi and Kyle are overjoyed to be marrying on October 19, 2024, in Raleigh, NC, to celebrate their love and happiness with their closest friends and family.

I Did Think, Let's Go About This Slowly (Poem by Mary Oliver)

I did think, let's go about this slowly.

This is important. This should take

some really deep thought. We should take

small thoughtful steps.

But bless us, we didn't.