C+E

In the depths of the pandemic, while we were all fashioning bandanas into makeshift masks, perfecting our sourdough starters, and wistfully dreaming of The Before Times, Curry and Elaina turned to dating apps in lieu of more conventional means. They matched on Hinge in August 2020 and bonded over shared interests ranging from "adventurous eating" (as Elaina would say) to eclectic musical tastes to hiking to Mary Oliver's poetry. Over the course of the next month, they shared several virtual dates and a steady stream of text messages, building on their initial bond. As fate would have it, however, Elaina had just left D.C. to spend several months in Shaker Heights with her parents. Given the distance and the uncertain timing of her return, they agreed to go their separate ways. But they also vowed not to be strangers should circumstances change... in case there was something more between them than 360 miles. Just a few months later – in response to Curry's Instagram post evoking Taylor Swift's "folklore" album cover – Elaina slid into his DMs. This is a very modern love, after all. That small act led to a renewed spark and a spike in their correspondence while Curry spent an extended stay in Louisiana. Curry and Elaina reconvened their series of virtual dates in early 2021, scheduling midday coffee breaks, coordinating takeout orders of the same cuisine while at opposite ends of the country, spending countless hours on the phone together, and counting down the days until they would both be back in D.C. Aptly, the final countdown to seeing each other in person for the first time came to an end on a date practically made to mark the occasion: 4/3/21. Curry and Elaina met up in a small park midway between their two neighborhoods and meandered to Right Proper's brewpub for their first "right proper" date. Since then, there have been many more in-person dates – and far fewer virtual ones. They found that there was indeed quite a lot more than just distance between them. They've now driven the 360 miles of that long and winding road from D.C. to Ohio together numerous times, and they've had more extended stays in Louisiana, as well. They look forward to formally joining their families together, and they hope to celebrate with you! Preferably in person, but they'll understand if not.