How I met my husband (or almost didn't!)

A serendipitous little love story ☔️

Erika Tovi

Mar 12, 2024

An illustration of the author, Erika, sitting across from a guy at a table. The text reads: "A few winters ago, I have dinner with a nice guy. He tells me stories about his childhood best friend. The date doesn't lead anywhere, but a detail here matters. You'll see."

An illustration of the author smiling inside of a puddle. The text reads: "Not long after, on a rainy March day, I splash in puddles while someone takes a photo. A cute new pic! That night, I decide to upload it to a dating app."

An illustration of the preferences page on a dating app. The age range says 27-34: dealbreaker. The text reads: "Before I do, I stop by the fancy preferences page. I move the age range up a year to 35. Why not?"

An illustration of the a white male with a brown beard and brown hair. He's wearing a red button up. The text reads: "That's when Aaron, who turned 35 the day before, appears. Intrigued, I send him a digital heart. And we match. (!!!)"

An illustration of a message exchange between Erika and Aaron. Erika says: "I'll unicycle once I get the tire replaced!" Aaron says: "Good thing int only takes one." Erika: "Bahaha. True, better for the budget!" The text reads: We type messages until our thumbs can't keep up. There's so much to say. It feels electric. As we trace lines of connection, we realize that winter, I'd gone out with his best friend. Aaron was the one I'd heard stories about."

Calligraphy of "the Tovis" with red hearts doodled around the last name. The text reads: "We fall in love, and marry two years from the day we met. If I'd kept my preferences, I would've missed Aaron by a couple of days. But somehow, after life's twists and turns, we found each other! And gosh, am I glad we did."

I still wonder how this finding-a-partner thing even happens. Were Aaron and I always bound to meet? Or did everything hinge on my preference change that rainy evening? What if I hadn’t splashed about like a kid earlier that day? Or, or, or… the possibilities are infinite. (I guess we could ask this about any experience—good, bad, and in between.) Do you ever think about this?

Whatever the cause or the reason or the this-had-to-happen-so-that-could-happen, I’m grateful. I applaud a mysterious algorithm engineer for helping bring us together. It’s not the meet-cute I pictured for myself, but it’s our story and I love it. Can’t believe we’re about to celebrate a year married. ❤️

Till next time!
—E.T.