Swipe, swipe, swipe...

As luck would have it they met on the dating app Hinge, that's how it's done these days anyway. After bit of messaging to and fro, he asked her on a date. For some reason he thought it would be a great idea to meet for dinner in a corner building with large glass windows on all sides... in the dead of winter.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

It was extremely cold. He arrived early and found a table next to the window. Two for two on great ideas. She arrived fashionably late and was very happy to verify that he was as tall as advertised on his profile.

During the course of the evening he was happy to see that she ate her pizza like any normal person does, and she thought he was cute enough to ignore his New Balance dad shoes. The nervous first date energy melted away from them both, even shivering in that bitter cold shop.

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Originally he asked her out again in the middle of their first date, which she happily accepted, to a movie that was over a week away. When he got home he decided he didn't want to wait. He texted her that same night and asked to see her again a couple nights later at a nearby bowling alley.

He arrived early again and waited in the lobby. She arrived, more fashionably late than the first time, and the evening's festivities began. She wondered how to plant the idea of discarding those dad sneakers into his head, while he tried to determine the smoothest way to plant that first kiss.

The first round was just a warm up and small talk. The stakes came with the second round. Winner gets whatever they want!

He says he let her win. She says that's funny.

After the games they went to catch a bite where she also found herself wondering when he might make his move. It was getting late and the opportune moment had still not presented itself. He walked her to her car out in the parking lot. He playfully teased her to choose her prize. She was coyly indecisive until finally they arrived at her car.

"Did you decide what you want for winning?"

"Noo~"

"I think I can come up with something."

Sunday, February 13, 2022

They spent the next two months in a whirlwind of laughter, shared secrets, and stolen glances. Each date brought them closer, each conversation deepened their connection. They both saw things were serious, but he wanted to remove any ambiguity about how he felt. To make their relationship official.

He had planned to ask her on Valentine’s Day, a day fast approaching. But fate had other plans as she was unavailable that day. Undeterred, he decided to try for the day before instead. After all, love doesn’t wait for a particular date on the calendar.

He wanted to give her something unique to her, rather than a generic gesture like a box of chocolates. He knew of her love for flowers, something she shared with her Mom, but a simple bouquet would not do. He also knew of her peculiar fondness for refrigerator magnets, those tiny miracles of physics.

And so, he found the elusive and perfect combination - a set of flower magnets. Each magnet was a different flower, varying slightly in size and with an ensemble of colors that could brighten up any space. It was a gift that beautifully encapsulated his tender affection for her.

The day arrived, his gift tucked away in his jacket. After dinner he presented her with the flower magnets as they cuddled on the couch. Her eyes lit up with surprise and delight. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes, "Will you be my girlfriend?”

The smile that spread across her face was answer enough. She had never received such a thoughtful gift. It was a moment of pure joy, and even though she already felt they were exclusive, she didn't realize how romantic and special it could feel to be asked formally. And every time she would look at the flower magnets, she would remember that day, the day their blossoming romance became official.

As it happens, 13 is a lucky number for some.

Saturday, June 3, 2023

As the seasons changed, so did their relationship. It blossomed, matured, and deepened. A year and a half had passed since that memorable day when they were shivering in that corner shop. Their love story was no longer just about stolen glances and shared secrets. It was about shared dreams, shared responsibilities, and a shared life.

One day, he looked around his apartment. It was filled with memories of their time together - the movie nights, the shared meals, the quiet moments of simply being together. But there was something else too. She could be forgetful, often leaving behind important pieces of herself such as her cellphone or laptop. In the past he had to deliver them back to her apartment moments after she left, but he didn’t mind.

So, he decided to ask her to move in with him. He was nervous, of course. This was a big step, a commitment not just of love but of life. But he believed in their relationship, in their love for each other. He believed that they could face any challenge, overcome any obstacle, as long as they were together.

He invited her to his place where he had prepared one of the only meals he was confident with, Chicken Parmesan. As they enjoyed the evening together he looked into her eyes, those beautiful eyes that held his world, and said, “You know, it would be a lot easier to return your things if you lived here instead.”

She felt a flutter of trepidation at the prospect. This would be a brand new chapter in her life, one she had never experienced before. Yet, the thrill of this new adventure swiftly outshone any hesitation. Of course this also meant his endearing puppy would become her new furry companion.

She dreamt of transforming their shared space into a cozy haven, a reflection of their combined tastes. She chuckled at the thought of bidding farewell to his well-worn dad sneakers and those god-awful Crocs that he insisted on wearing. The anticipation of creating a home together filled her with an indescribable joy.

Then another thought occurred to her which brought her back down to reality. She saw her overflowing wardrobe in her minds eye. The sheer volume of clothes she had to pack was monumental, and finding room for them was another problem entirely. A wave of apprehension washed over her as the daunting task revealed itself. But she knew, it was a small price to pay for the shared life they were about to embark on.

And so, they began a new chapter in their love story, a chapter of shared spaces, shared chores, and shared mornings. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it. Because they were together, building a life, one day at a time.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

A little background:

They are part of a small movie club with a few friends. Each week the group watches a movie and then reviews and rates it. Armed with the foreknowledge of which movie they'd watch that week, he developed a plan to knock her socks off. But first...

The Blessing:

The ring had been acquired, and the plan was coming into focus. The only thing left to do was secure her mother's approval. Unfortunately he was unaware of her routine, and probing his soon-to-be fiancé would undoubtedly arouse suspicion. He was left with no choice but to make an educated guess.

The day soon came when she was going to be out for an extended period of time. They shared a goodbye kiss and he patiently watched her car vanish from sight. No time to lose now! He shot over to the family-owned store, hoping her mother wasn’t enjoying a day off.

Inside he went, but her mom was nowhere to be found. He decided to wait a little while longer since he was pretty sure her car was outside. Sure enough, she returned from a walk with the ever handsome and always gentlemanly store mascot, Little Bear.

As they stepped inside he told her that he loved her daughter very much, that she could probably tell where things were going, and the purpose of his visit that day. Her joy was boundless. She embraced him warmly, her blessing secured. Then, she inquired about how he intended on popping the question. He began to explain...

The Plan:

Step 1: Download a copy of the movie.

Step 2: Cut it at the 15-minute mark.

Step 3: Record a video of himself proposing.

Step 4: Splice it in after the 15-minute mark.

He discreetly placed it on a thumb drive and plugged it into the TV. Next, he feigned ignorance and forgetfulness as to what movie was selected for that week so she would not suspect anything. If it were her suggestion to watch the movie the plan would achieve maximum effect. So he waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. And...

The Execution:

It was Tuesday, January 23, 2024, the day before Movie Club reviews and she still had not suggested watching it. In fact, she wanted to push it off until the next day, where the timeline of events would get a lot more tricky. Luckily he convinced her through his cunning and guile that it would be better to watch it on that day and, "What movie was it again?"

And so they watched. Around the 10 minute mark he surreptitiously took the remote and excused himself to "make some tea". When he was out of sight he plucked the ring from its hiding spot and waited. All according to plan..

15 minutes. The screen freezes. Then flickers. "Whoa..." she said. Another flicker, more intense. A stronger "WHOA..." escaped her lips. Then bam, there he was, on the TV!

"I know what you're thinking! This isn't the movie!" his voice emerged from the screen. A wave of shock and bewilderment splashed across her face, swiftly replaced by a radiant smile that claimed its rightful place. The dawning realization of this moment illuminated her eyes.

She said yes.

Saturday, November 9, 2024