It’s a tale as old as time: two survivors of a global pandemic, desperate for human contact, maximize the sizes of their Hinge radii. The circles overlap on a thin slice, just wide enough for Cupid to fire his arrow through.
Chae, in an effort to make the most out of a bad situation, had rented a condo by the beach with friends. She spent much of 2020 and 2021 surfing the serene waves of Southern California. Joe, seizing the moment in an equally inspiring way, had moved in with his parents and bought a weight set.
Their first date was supposed to be a surf lesson from Chae. But Joe, being the more risk-averse one, suggested they start with dinner instead. They met at a restaurant by the beach. A band played Rolling Stones covers while they ate fish tacos and shared stories about their families.
After dinner, Chae invited Joe to a bonfire with her friends, but Joe couldn’t go because it was getting late and he was afraid his mom would worry. It’s a miracle there was a second date. Before they left the restaurant, Chae mentioned a song she loved. Joe listened to it the entire drive home.
Today, they live in an oddly shaped apartment in Brooklyn and have a dog named Willy. Joe takes out the recycling, and Chae waters the houseplants. On their balcony, perilla leaves grow plentifully in the garden beds, while the lilacs seem to bloom only every other year. It’s also where Joe proposed to Chae.
Two weeks after their first date, Chae gave Joe the surf lesson. After Joe nearly drowned, they sat on the beach and made plans for the rest of their day together. If they had turned around and squinted, they might have been able to see the place where they would plan to get married.