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This is a love story. It's the story of how finding the perfect online dating question led me to my perfect match. (Thread)
I was a serial online dater for about 5 years. I was on all the apps: @Tinder, @bumble, @okcupid, @hinge, #coffeemeetsbagel, #Match, even @PlentyOfFish, each with its own personality, rules, and dating pool.
As a straight woman, my favorite was @bumble. I felt some comfort in the fact that I could swipe with impunity and the fact that it was up to me to make the first move.
(If you're unfamiliar, the girl sends the first message on @bumble.)
(If you're unfamiliar, the girl sends the first message on @bumble.)
I tried out a bunch of different tactics for first messages:
The typical guy message: "Hey"
A question about something in his profile:
A test of his sense of humor: "Tell me a joke."
But soon I settled on my favorite, What's your ideal date?
I liked asking it because it was a good test of what the guy was looking for, and because I knew my answer: a walk on the National Mall, ending with a picnic to watch the sunset behind the Lincoln Memorial.
(Did I mention I lived in D.C.?)
(Did I mention I lived in D.C.?)
I liked the question so much that I started using it on other platforms. It was a nice ice breaker, and better than responding to the eventual "Hey" or "what's up?"
(Dudes, put in a little more effort with your pick up lines, PLEASE.)
(Dudes, put in a little more effort with your pick up lines, PLEASE.)
One day on @Tinder, I matched with a cute guy who grew up in London (I lived for a year in London!) and who had good taste in TV (I like good TV!).
And so I asked him my question.
And so I asked him my question.
You can probably guess his response.
He said it would have to be a walk along the mall, ending with a sunset picnic at the Lincoln memorial. (And maybe a tv show or movie at one of our houses afterwards.)
He said it would have to be a walk along the mall, ending with a sunset picnic at the Lincoln memorial. (And maybe a tv show or movie at one of our houses afterwards.)
A few weeks later, I went on my first date with that boy, @TPlapinger at @RightProperBeer.
I found out he loved The West Wing & rom-coms.
I found out he made a lot of puns : some very bad, some quite good.
I found out he was a total data nerd who loved learning and asking questions.
I learned he was quiet & kind & passionate & silly.
And I fell in love.
I found out he made a lot of puns : some very bad, some quite good.
I found out he was a total data nerd who loved learning and asking questions.
I learned he was quiet & kind & passionate & silly.
And I fell in love.
It's been two and a half years since that first date.
I moved away and started law school.
He started a new job and moved into a new apartment.
We dated long-distance via skype dates to watch @CBSSunday or Elf or just have random dance parties.
I moved away and started law school.
He started a new job and moved into a new apartment.
We dated long-distance via skype dates to watch @CBSSunday or Elf or just have random dance parties.
A week ago I drove from South Bend to D.C., to ride out the quarantine together.
And that Sunday, he took me on a Scavenger hunt to all of our favorite places.
Which ended with a walk to the Lincoln Memorial.
Where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and I said yes.
And that is how our ideal date became our engagement.
And how the perfect question led me to my perfect match.
Where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and I said yes.
And that is how our ideal date became our engagement.
And how the perfect question led me to my perfect match.
