My husband and I met on Tinder during our hookup eras

• My Tinder match and I were both looking for something casual.
• After spending a weekend together, I knew there was something special between us.
• Two weeks later I told him I love him and now we are happily married.

Lee and me matches on Tinder on October 26, 2018. Originally, I assumed this match would be just like all the others: we’d talk for a few days, and if the plans didn’t work, it would be for wine, dinner, and bonding.

On Valentine’s Day that same year, I went through a spectacularly acrimonious breakup with my previous partner of 4 1/2 years. I had sworn off love and just wanted to be young and have fun. I was trying to make up for having spent my college years in a engaged relationship and was firmly in my “hoe phase”.

Similarly, Lee was also fresh out of a serious long-term relationship of almost 7 years. His profile made it very clear that he was looking for short term, casual connections. Connections, fun and no strings attached.

But we ended up falling in love with each other.

Our first date almost didn’t happen

We canceled our plans about an hour before our first scheduled meeting. I was exhausted after a long day and I knew I would be overstimulated at the bar.

I was still very interested in meeting Lee and quickly asked if we could stay at his place instead of canceling completely, citing the need for a more comfortable, less crowded atmosphere.

He was more than happy to meet me next, so I grabbed some beer and drove over to him. He was waiting outside his building and went to my car while I was parking.

In person, he looked very intimidating. His voice was much deeper than I expected as he told me that I had parked in the wrong spot and that I needed to move. Honestly, I almost drove home right then. I was eager to meet one strange man night at his place and felt a little unsure of the situation.

The promise of a cold beer with a nice guy has been exceeded my anxieties. Swallowing my fears, I parked my car again and followed him inside.

One night quickly turned into the entire weekend

We went up to his apartment and proceeded to play “Overcooked” — a co-op restaurant simulation game — for nearly eight hours while having some of the best conversations I’ve ever had with a new date.

That night turned into the next day, then another night, and another day. We played several games, went for brunch in town and laughed for hours together. Everything was fun, comfortable and casual.

When I came home on Monday, I found myself smiling in a way I hadn’t in a while. I attributed it to fun activities, alcohol and good conversation.

They say love comes when you least expect it

We spent the next two weeks seeing each other as often as possible. Even making excuses to see each other planned dates.

During that time, we both steadfastly referred to our budding relationship as “casual fun” to friends, family, and each other.

On November 9th – two weeks after our original date – we’re getting ready to have another sleepover weekend. I had been struggling for the past two days, not wanting to admit that my feelings had gone far beyond casual.

At 2am that morning, when we finally snuggled under the covers to go to sleep, I couldn’t contain my feelings. In the dark, I quietly told him we needed to talk.

“I know it’s way too soon,” I began hesitantly, my heart racing. “I don’t need or expect you to feel the same way now and I know it’s only been two weeks, but I want you to know this. i love you.”

Lee pulled me into his arms and we held each other in silence for an eternity, but it was probably less than a minute. He kissed the top of my head and said, “I love you too. I was afraid to say something because it seemed too early and I was afraid it would scare you.”

Our ensuing relationship was filled with love and laughter. We moved in together about a year later and got engaged a few months after that. We got married on May 8, 2021 and still live happily together with our dog, Athena.

Online dating it’s difficult, and endless swiping can be stagnant and pointless. But connection can be found in the most unlikely of places, even when you’re not looking for it.

Be open to new experiences and maybe your next match on Tinder, Bumble or Hinge will be your forever love. Or maybe it will just be casual fun. However, you won’t know until you try.