Like many modern love stories, ours began with a swipe on Hinge—proof that sometimes all it takes is good timing, an open heart, and an algorithm with great taste. Our first date was at a cozy whiskey bar, where we sat down, opened the menu, and immediately discovered our very first “relationship curveball.” Tom enthusiastically suggested a few dishes—recommendations he said a friend had sworn by, including oysters. Connie didn’t miss a beat before responding, “I don’t eat seafood.” So much for the perfect menu strategy. What Connie didn’t know (yet!) was that Tom had actually gone to the restaurant the day before with a friend to study the menu and test how many drinks he could handle without acting a fool. He arrived at the date fully prepared… only to find out that none of his carefully researched seafood suggestions would be necessary. But none of that mattered. Once we started talking, everything else melted away. We laughed, shared stories, and had such a good time that we wandered over to a second bar just to keep the night going. And from that first date—menu mishap and all—the rest is history.