I grew up loving Cinderella, romantic comedy movies or any love story with a fairy tale resemblance happily ever after ending. Hearing stories of how couples I know met and eventually ended up together warms my heart, and gives me hope that one day, I'll have mine to share.
While Nick and I's love story wasn't born out of long courtship that spanned from childhood, or that he saw me across the room and was besotted with my smile - it is ours to share and smile upon. And that makes it the most beautiful love story I have ever heard.
As modern as the times are now, we met in a very modern way. Though it wasn't a relatively new thought, the platform definitely was. It was through Tinder, that 'dating' app on smartphones (I say this because I'm not sure if it's exclusive to iOS). I'm not sure the whole objective to why it was developed but I'm guessing it's to take out the effort, high expectations and pressure that come with online dating sites. They mean well I'm sure, but it's too tedious and can become expensive in the long run (if you're having challenge finding the one). And Tinder on the other hand's very casual, no pressure, no long questionnaires. Just like a profile and if it turns out to be a match (meaning they liked yours as well), then you two can start talking. It can prove to be an ego-boosting app since they like you mostly based off your photo and I can see why others have made it a game to get as many matches as they can. And of course, out came its dark side where casual flings come out of those matches.
Maria, my ever sweet and thoughtful friend, heard about that from another girlfriend. And since, I was the single one and she's recently married at that time, I downloaded the app and we started 'playing.' We actually made it a girl's bonding time to look at profiles and like and wait to see if it's a match. And I remember we'd squeal like little girls if they were! Lol. So yes, I didn't really take it seriously except as an ego-booster. Yes, guilty of that. And it was mostly Maria screening the guys for me and then I'd be liking them or not after.
Now I remember distinctly when she found Nick's profile and was like "Oh. Look at this one. He seems like a good guy." I looked at his photo and had to look at other photos (his profile photo there didn't appeal to me much). And when I found a photo that showed his good looks, I liked his profile and voila, it was a match! Squeals again. Haha! He messaged a few minutes after and then we started talking. A few weeks of chatting and then he asked if he could have my number so we won't have to do it through the app. At that point, Maria was already betting on him, and if you know girlfriends, then you know that that's a good sign. And he was also proving himself to be quite the nice guy. Then we started texting and a couple of weeks after, we met up at a very Asian restaurant - Pearl Castle. We didn't give out too much personal details while texting so we could get to know each other personally. That first date was like any other first dates - got to know each other over lunch, went to the mall to talk more while we window shopped, and shared a frozen yogurt as dessert as we talked more. He drove me to my car (I know, I think it's really an excuse to extend the time more lol) and we both went home. He messaged me a couple of hours after that telling me he was late for another appointment. Turned out he had something to do after our date, but he had such a good time he almost forgot about it. So unlike other first dates, this led to another and another and another.
We have been inseparable ever since. It still amazes me at how God works to fulfills our prayers and wishes. I have prayed for him (for quite along time) and I continued on despite no prospects, despite the odds being against me.
And here we are today. Together, and most certainly and undeniably happy.
Never lose hope.☺