Both Clara and I had from time to time entered the incredibly fun world of online dating. It was always super successful. This last round saw us both online around April of 2024. After countless left swipes, I stumbled across a girl on a rope bridge staring back at me over her right shoulder. I thought, hang on now, and casually swiped right. I then closed the app, vowing to never open it or any other dating app until this girl matched with me. You could say a lot hinged on her decision.

Days turned into weeks, which turned into months. I've never known sorrow like that as I anxiously awaited a notification. What had I done wrong? Were there not enough fish pictures in my profile? Had I used the appropriate amount of Office references? Were my mirror selfies taken at good enough angles?

I trudged on with life the only way I knew how, having countless life conversations with my then 4-year old cat. Just when all hope seemed lost, after just celebrating yet another birthday alone in this cold world, a message reared its head on my cellular device: "Clara matched with you."

The tears of joy that followed were accompanied by joyous shouts that my apartment neighbors were sure to file noise complaints over later. But now the challenge, how to play it cool...

Clara's first message to me was asking if I was still on the app as if she was worried she had missed her chance. I waited the appropriate amount of time to respond as I had always heard wait three minutes to call or text someone back. It was minutes, right??

After texting for a week to get to know each other I knew I had to get a date on the calendar or this bird was gonna take off. We settled on Ponysaurus in Durham on July 15th. You might remember that day as the hottest day in the history of the U.S. on record. Don't look it up, just trust me.

The first date was what anyone would hope for. Good food, good conversation, a good number of napkins to wipe sweat from our brows due to sitting outside (seemed like a great idea at the time).

Afterwards, I walked her to her car and we shared a firm, hearty handshake to show our respect for one another and our intention to see each other again. Spoiler alert, we did.