How it all started…

Brian’s Version

Let’s go all the way back to September, 2024, which feels like a lifetime ago! I was single and inconsistently using the dating apps in the hopes of finding someone special. Jennifer and I matched and after talking for a little while, we decided to video chat. The chat was pleasant enough and we both agreed that we should go on a date. And then…. crickets. Jennifer ghosted me! Fast forward to a few weeks later, in October. I was seeing someone and Jennifer magically reappears with a heartfelt apology, and an offering to still go out if I wanted to. And then…. crickets. I ghosted her! A few more weeks go by and I reach back out with a heartfelt apology and an offering to still go out if she wanted to. When I asked her out, she avoided the question entirely, so I assumed she wasn’t interested. A few days later, we match again on a different dating app (weird, I know!) and I tell her “are we going out or not?” So, right before Thanksgiving, more than 2 months after first connecting, we went on our first date. It was…. fine? There were no sparks, nothing special, exciting, or very memorable about our first date, but I liked talking to her and thought she was kind and gorgeous, so I wanted to see her again and keep getting to know her.

Right after our first date I was heading to Uganda to go gorilla trekking for vacation so I told Jennifer I’d reach out when I got back to schedule a second date. While I was in Uganda, I text her, and we schedule our second date for the night I get back from vacation. So, after flying 18 hours to get home, I get cleaned up and meet her for our second date. It was… also fine? But marginally better than our first date. We shared a lackluster kiss and I told her I’d like to see her again because I still enjoyed talking to her and still thought she was kind and gorgeous. A few days later, the night before Jennifer left for her vacation in Hawaii (with another man named Bryan?!?), we went out for dinner and sat up talking together until 3AM. It was…. different. I felt like I could be vulnerable, soft, and truly myself with her in a way I hadn’t felt with others before. She listened. Asked thoughtful questions. Made me feel like she was genuinely curious and wanted to see all of me, not just the parts I was showing her.

Since our third date, not a single day has gone by without us speaking to each other. By every measure, the start of our relationship was spotty and unique and probably shouldn’t have worked out but for some reason both of us kept at it and I couldn’t be happier about it. Jennifer continues to make me feel seen and heard in ways nobody else has, just like she did on our first dates. Going through life with her has been and will continue to be the greatest gift I could receive.