It all started back in 2016 with a JDate conversation and plans for a coffee date… that absolutely never happened. A strong start. Fast forward to 2018, when Dana and Josh reconnected on Bumble and finally made that first date happen at Iron Abbey Brewery. The vibes? Immaculate. The conversation? Flowing. Josh even brought a gift—Batiste dry shampoo (romance, but make it practical). The night ended with a kiss… and then they never spoke again. Truly, a masterclass in timing. And so began their favorite hobby: rematching on dating apps, chatting, and then disappearing like it was a competitive sport. Rinse and repeat for years. The real constant? That dry shampoo bottle sitting in Dana’s cabinet, silently asking, “what if?” Meanwhile, life was happening. Josh was working on his personal growth, friendships, career in digital marketing, and hobbies. Dana was building her career in social work, eventually opening her own practice and thriving. No matter where they went, though, Philadelphia always stayed home. Then, in the summer of 2024—after years of personal growth, life experience, and questionable dating app decisions—they matched again. And this time? It actually felt different. …until Dana deleted Josh again. (Growth isn’t always linear.) But this time, Josh had a plan. He saved her number and sent a bold follow-up text: “Hey, you didn’t like my joke?” From Dana’s perspective, they had already tried this once, so what was there to lose? Against her better judgment (or maybe finally trusting it), she gave him another chance. And somehow… it worked. With a lot of communication, persistence, and an impressive ability to laugh at themselves, they finally got it right. Turns out, the timing just needed about 6 years, multiple ghostings, and one very loyal bottle of dry shampoo. Now, they haven’t gone a single day without laughing, smiling, and choosing each other—and this time, they’re sticking with it.