Picture this: Madi's Hinge online dating profile. Photo #1: Madi is beaming, holding a box of chicken. She has clearly just exited the Popeyes drive-thru. It's night-time, so the photo is extremely pixelated. Only half her face is showing. Photo #2: Madi is standing with 2 other people. The photographer is standing about 10 miles away so the photo is extremely pixelated when you zoom in. Photo #3: A photo of Madi's favorite nature trail (she is not in the photo). I was skeptical about this profile, because why would anyone hide their appearance unless it was ugly? However, Madi's happiness at seeing the Popeyes made me think that she might just be a very genuine and cool person who doesn't take a lot of photos. And I was right. Deciding to meet Madi was the best decision of my life. Here are some (but by no means all) of the reasons why: 1) When we first started dating, I told Madi that in Chinese culture, you serve each other's meals as a sign of affection. So she started serving me all my meals, all the time. She refuses to let me serve hers. So our version of this custom is purely one-sided, which is great for me. 2) When I was unhappy in my corporate job and wanted to quit to pursue a teaching career, Madi was my biggest advocate in taking the leap, even though it would mean a huge reduction in my salary. Her priority is seeing me happy and fulfilled in life. Her love is unconditional. 3) Madi gets free tickets to concerts and other cool events and I get to tag along

It was my first hinge date ever. I was so nervous I popped 2 pepto bismol before so I wouldn't get a tummy ache. The first date was pretty quick. We went to dinner at 5pm and both got home around 1am the next day (OUR SEPARATE HOMES OK IT WAS VERY WHOLESOME) :). As soon as Caro hopped on the 42 bus home, I called Charmi to tell her I would marry the girl I had just been on a date with. Following that date, we went on 9 more over the next 2 weeks before we both entered our chaotic eras resulting in us living in a total of 10 different apartments since then and doing the distance from Philly to San Diego, Philly to NYC, and a cross-borough relationship from Manhattan to Queens. Through the chaos, Caro has been the calm. She constantly makes me stop to smell the flowers (literally), constantly surprises me with serenades and the most thoughtful dates and gifts, and lives her life with a joy that is unmatched. I can't wait to prove my post first date self right by tying the knot with Caro on August 18.