Where a Skeptic Found Love

Summary

A skeptic found true love through dating apps after initially dismissing them as a legitimate way to find a life partner.

Abstract

The narrative describes a journey from skepticism to commitment, detailing the transition from casual dating and the subsequent disillusionment with the party scene to a genuine search for companionship. After traditional methods failed, the author turned to speed dating and dating apps with low expectations but a clear set of non-negotiable values. A chance encounter at a coffee shop led to a serendipitous meeting with a man who not only met but exceeded expectations, resulting in a whirlwind romance, engagement, and ultimately, a happy marriage. The story underscores the potential of dating apps to foster meaningful relationships amidst a culture often associated with casual hook-ups.

Opinions

The author initially viewed dating apps as platforms for hook-ups rather than serious relationships.
There is a critique of the emptiness and superficiality of casual dating and the party lifestyle.
The author emphasizes the importance of having fundamental non-negotiable values when looking for a life partner.
The first date with the future spouse is portrayed as a moment of unexpected and genuine connection.
The narrative suggests that dating apps can be a viable and "proper" way to meet someone special, contrary to popular skepticism.
The author advocates for an open mind and heart when searching for love, as it can come from unexpected places.

Where a Skeptic Found Love

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

“Are you DTF?”

If you’re on dating apps or have been, that question is probably all too familiar. In a playground for hook-up’s, how can you NOT be sceptical about finding someone special on a dating app, right?!

Don’t get me wrong, I had my share of fun rooftop-dancing, adrenaline-pumping, Hollywood club-crawling, shot-slamming nights while I was casually dating, but eventually, its appeal faded. What used to make a good recap story, turned into feeling empty and just hungover the next morning. I needed lifetime companionship now.

I tried traditional ways of meeting men and was quick to shoot down the idea of dating apps, as if it wasn’t legit. But traditional ways were just not working. So I decided to try speed dating and some dating apps. I approached it with the mindset of “I know I’m not going to find my husband here, but what the hell, I have nothing to lose!”

I started swiping and going on a lot of first dates. Some boring, others weird, some douchey (as expected), and some actually nice but no chemistry. This journey helped narrow down my list of “must-have’s” to fundamental non-negotiables that truly mattered to me in finding “the one”.

I kept swiping and agreed to meet with one of my matches on a Tuesday summer afternoon after work at a local coffee shop in Los Angeles. I didn’t expect too much; it was just another routine first date whom I expected to not look as good in person. I didn’t even bother to “doll up”. I arrived a few minutes before he did, so I waited at the door.

As I turned back to check if he was coming, I recognized him confidently walking towards me, dressed in a casual blazer appearing to look as good as his profile pictures! I started getting nervous. He walked up to me with a big warm smile and shook my hand firmly as he politely introduced himself to me. I smiled back shyly as I noticed his golden honey-colored eyes sparkle in the sunlight, which were not evident in his pictures. To my surprise, he was even more handsome in person!

We sat down and started an introductory conversation over drinks. I quickly got a good sense of his big personality. He was charming, attentive, and a gentleman. My takeaways were that he was a family man, and already, we shared some of the basic values. That first date was short, but I left feeling butterflies in my stomach, and for the first time, I felt he could actually be “the one”.

And he was. We got to know each other better as we spent more quality time together and it turned out we had found exactly what we needed in each other. We fell in love, and he proposed 6 months later. Our wedding was 6 months after that. Today, we are happily married, as our love continues growing while we navigate life’s ups and downs together. We’re working towards our future and having fun in the process.

Moral of my story? There are good people on dating apps who are also looking for a loving, committed relationship just like you. It may just take some time & a few first dates to weed out the ones who are not on the same page, but it’s all worth it in the end. Who’s to say what the “proper” way of meeting someone is? Every human being is unique, as every relationship is, so having an open mind and heart is vital to finding that special person.