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.)

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.?)

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.)

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

cc: @erinruberry @johnkrasinski #SomeGoodNews #EngagementStory #QuarantineEngagement