5 Meet-Cute Stories To Warm Your Heart

Swiping right is so 2020, am I right? Dating apps seem to have a bad rap these days, and the uncertainty around who is actually behind the profile picture has most of us midlife singles hitting the deactivate button and leaving our love lives in the hands of Lady Fate.

Our parents and grandparents met the old-fashioned way: face-to-face on subways, at bars and in churches or schools. There were no screens interfering with chemistry and love at first sight. But fear not, Girlfriends, because people are still meeting in the cutest of ways — no screens or passwords needed. Here are a few stories that will restore your faith in love, spontaneity and the rewards that come with a little flirtatious risk-taking. 

Trust Your Gut

“I met my husband in 2010 in a grocery store in Baltimore, Md. I was checking out when I noticed him. I paid for my groceries, walked out of the store and was overcome with a feeling that I was meant to know this man, so I turned around and went back inside. I found him in the produce section, where I approached him. I'm a professional matchmaker, so I said, ‘I'm a matchmaker and I noticed you. Do you happen to be single?’ Without missing a beat, Mike replied, ‘The question is, are you single?’ We exchanged numbers and went on our first date the next evening. I always tell my clients to listen to your intuition and if you feel drawn to someone, don't let the opportunity to say hello slip away. You never know where you'll find your person!” – Amber, 48, Puerto Rico

Accept Assistance

“I met my now husband by getting my car stuck on a pile of slushy snow and ice. He happened to be outside working on his house. He saw me struggling to get it moving and came over to help. While he was checking on the car, he noticed I had damaged a plastic panel on the underside and offered to buy the correct screw if I would come back the next weekend and let him show me how to repair it. I did. This was in 2010, and we're married now.”  – Jessica, 36, Indiana

Work on Yourself

“We met in a church basement filled with others who had blown up their lives with excessive drinking. I had hit a bottom in my life and burned bridges to those I loved. I was filled with shame and did not really want to look anyone in the eye in these rooms. When he shared some of his story, his resonant voice captivated me. I could almost feel it in my chest. He offered me a ride on his motorcycle after the meeting. As I wrapped my arms around his waist, I gazed up at the moon. Hope rekindled.” – Maria, 62, Washington, DC