Mike and Alyssa’s story started on Hinge, of all places. Mike, trying to break the ice with something a little different, messaged Alyssa about playing golf from the red tees. “It’s the only way I can feel good about myself,” he joked. Alyssa, amused but busy with life, didn’t respond right away—she took her sweet time, almost two weeks, to get back to him. But when she finally did, she couldn’t help but laugh at the random golf talk, and a conversation began. Their first date was at a laid-back bar, and Mike, already a little nervous about meeting someone from the internet, immediately spotted Alyssa’s tattoos. He tried not to act like he was staring, but, let's just say, they definitely caught his attention. He wasn’t used to meeting someone so cool and confident—he felt like the guy who brought a plastic knife to a sword fight. They played corn hole (because nothing says "let’s get to know each other" like a few rounds of tossing bean bags). At one point, during a moment of awkward silence, Alyssa casually asked, “So, Mike, have you ever been to therapy?” Mike, caught off guard, took a deep breath and said, “Yeah, I have. It’s actually really helped.” Alyssa, who had been trying to be all serious and thoughtful, couldn’t help but bite her lip—though, in a twist, she doesn’t remember doing it. Mike, however, noticed. He wasn’t sure if she was holding back laughter or just being coy. Either way, he tried to keep his cool. After a couple more rounds of corn hole, the night took an unexpected turn when they ended up outside, dancing in the parking lot like a couple of teenagers who didn’t know any better. The music from the bar spilled out into the open air, and for a brief moment, it felt like the world had stopped just for them. Now, Mike had this "rule"—he didn’t kiss on the first date. It was just a personal thing, you know? But Alyssa, with her playful charm and her infectious energy, somehow wore him down. He tried to keep his guard up, but the combination of her smile, the moonlight, and maybe a little too much of the night’s vibe got the better of him. In the end, he caved, and they shared that first kiss under the stars. The rest, as they say, is history. Mike never stood a chance after that, and Alyssa... well, let’s just say she didn’t mind being a little persuasive.