*Read in David Attenborough voice* (David Attenborough voice reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enu-qR0H_uk) It was a quiet, late summer evening in 2021 when Gary returned home from a brief visit to his parents in Holmen, Wisconsin. The warmth of his hometown still lingered in his mind as he stepped into his apartment, but a sense of loneliness settled over him as the hours ticked on. As he prepared for bed, the faint embers of hope he had left for finding true love flickered dimly. Maybe it was time to give up on the idea entirely. Yet, as Gary lay in the dim light of his room, the only illumination coming from a single lamp, something stirred within him. He wasn’t ready to surrender just yet. With a deep breath, he reached for his phone, which had been swallowed by the heavy darkness on his nightstand, and turned it on. The app that had the potential to change his life appeared before him: Hinge. This time, Gary was more thoughtful, more strategic in his swipes. He wasn’t just swiping for the sake of it anymore—he was looking for something real. A few swipes in, he came across a girl who caught his eye. She was beautifully awkward, her profile radiating a warmth that felt familiar. Without a second thought, he swiped right. That was the last swipe of his night, but little did he know, it would also be the last swipe he’d ever need to make. With a new sense of hope, Gary closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Ding. typing... Ding. The sudden sound pierced the silence of his room. Gary jolted awake, his heart racing. He glanced at his phone. There was a notification from none other than Alyssa Stiles, his future wife. She had responded to one of Gary’s corny prompts, where he’d humorously claimed, “I tell the best dad jokes.” In truth, Gary didn’t tell the best dad jokes—but Alyssa didn’t mind. They both laughed it off, and before long, they were talking into the early hours of the morning. It was as if they had both been waiting for that ding their entire lives.