Steve's Version: After matching on Hinge and chatting non-stop for a few days, we finally set up the first date at Faces Brewing in Malden. Steve, always early, was waiting outside giddy with excitement. Unfortunately, Sarah was running a few minutes behind. While outside, he got sucked into a conversation with a particularly chatty panhandler sitting in front of the bar. Luckily after just a few minutes, Sarah arrived. In her naturally bubbly and smiley manner, we gave a big hug to each other. Being friendly, she jokingly asked Steve if he wanted to invite the man to join us. Steve was not amused but couldn't take his eyes off her. The conversation and laughter continued until closing time, exchanging numbers by her car, and eager anticipation for a second date in the near future. The rest is history! Sarah's Version: Sarah and Steve matched on Hinge in the fall of 2023 and they chatted for a few days before setting up a first date. Steve was easy to talk to even then, even if Sarah thought he texted like a grandpa (still true!). The day of their date, Sarah had to go into the office, and had gone out with her friend Angelique for a drink (pumpkin beer with a cinnamon sugar rim, naturally) and was debating cancelling her first date with Steve. Angelique convinced her to go anyway, and even though she showed up 5 minutes late (something Steve has gotten used to at this point), she was excited. Although they were off to a rough start when Steve did not appreciate her very funny joke about inviting his new friend to join their date, things quickly turned around once they were inside and started talking - and kept talking for the rest of the night. Sarah didn't stop laughing the whole night, or in the years since, and here we are today.