We used technology to make connections with new people because this city is jam-packed with goons. In this instance, a mobile application called Hinge (the app that is meant to be deleted) connected Pat and Jamie because they had a mutual friend on social media by the name of Michael Bird. Neither Pat nor Jamie were particularly close to Michael Bird... but they would come to find that this mutual acquaintance would change their lives forever. The Hinge app separately presented the two with a photo of the other. Pat and Jamie both swiped right indicating that they found the other attractive. Then, like magic, they were invited to start directly messaging. Jamie was the first to boldly send a communication to this stranger who could have very well been a weirdo, stalker, or murderer. Patrick responded with enthusiasm and, after several exchanges of pleasantries, they decided to continue their interactions in-person. Jamie was on her way out of town in the coming days so she concluded it was best to meet this man before she left since she would then have good reason to ghost him when the date was inevitably regrettable. So, they agreed to meet on a cold, sloshy, snowy Monday night in December. The destination was a wine bar on the Lower East Side named The Immigrant, chosen by Patrick. Upon meeting, they both happily discovered that the other seemed relatively normal. They bantered on for several hours talking quickly and easily. All the while, Jamie drank water as Patrick sipped wine. When it was time to leave, Patrick said he'd walk Jamie to the train and along the way he proceeded to tell her a story about a haunted building he had just filmed for his job in media. Once they arrived at the entrance to the subway station, Pat said, "Well, I'll see ya later maybe I guess". This was quite confusing for Jamie. She thought perhaps the date had not gone as well as she thought... so she shrugged and said, "Okay, then", leaving Patrick and continuing on to catch the next train. Patrick texted Jamie the next morning around 10am so as not to seem too eager... They moved in together after 6 months and lived happily ever after. ...Until a global pandemic took the world by storm, most of their plans were delayed, and now they live in Charleston, SC. The End... But also, just the beginning. *Shout out to Michael Bird. We're both glad we met you... wherever you are.