If you would have told me three years ago that I would meet the love of my life on Tinder, get married, have two kids, and become a stay-at-home mom and wife, I wouldn’t have believed you. At that time, I thought I was destined for single cat lady status, forever. Dating had not gone well up until that point, but I had an amazing family and friends, a career I enjoyed, and two gentleman kitties. I was content.
If you aren’t familiar with Tinder, it is a dating app. Unlike eHarmony or Match, there are no personality tests and no compatibility algorithms. You simply swipe right if the person looks interesting based on limited information and pictures provided. If they also swipe right, Tinder notifies you and you’re able to converse.
Enter Michael. 36. Looks great in a tux, but appears to enjoy taking engines out of cars and mountain biking. Uses the Oxford comma. Also appears to enjoy Michigan craft brews. All things I enjoy and appreciate. Right swipe completed. Right swipe reciprocated back by Michael. Conversation begins.
We met. We clicked. We saw each other once a week for the first couple of months, then more frequently thereafter. Four months after our first date, we found out that we were in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy.
What happened next, I have had others tell me was “scary” when describing our love story. Risky? Yes. However, the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing. The outcome of the leap I’m about to describe has been nothing short of wonderful.
Over dinner two days after the big news, we decided we would take the leap and embark on this adventure called life together. Most of the details of our wedding were worked out within the following two weeks. We were married six weeks after we found out we were pregnant. Our families came together in love, support, and celebration.
Two weeks after we were married, he had major back surgery.
A month after that, I was laid off from my job.
That fall and winter, he lost two very special people in his family.
Ella was born in October. People had warned us that kids change a marriage, and we were only six months into ours. Date nights out turned into date nights in. Sleepless nights led to some emotional conversations. However, we’ve always worked together and made it happen. We’ve grown together, as a married couple and as parents.
When our first daughter was eight months old, we learned that we were pregnant again. Though we were open to the idea of having kids close together, we did not expect it to happen so quickly. This past February, we welcomed Clara. Our girls are 16 months apart, and we are very excited to watch them grow up together.
I write this after we have been together, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week, for six weeks. The first three weeks were through welcoming our second daughter, and the last three have been due to the COVID-19 shelter in place order.
You know what? I still think he’s pretty awesome. When I tell him I don’t know what I did to deserve him, he answers, “You swiped right!” Lately, I tell him almost daily that “there’s no one else I’d rather survive a pandemic with.” Because we’ve got this, together. Through the highs and lows of life, we have become closer and stronger. He is my best friend, and I think we make a great team.
My message to you? Accept love in all forms. I know a few high school sweetheart couples who have built amazing lives and families. I also know soulmates who have met in the Missed Connections section of Craigslist. It’s all what you and your partner make of it. Be good to each other, water your relationship with love and care daily, and allow your love tree to grow!
Kylie, you make me so proud! You and your soulmate Michael, have really grabbed life!
Ella and Clara are fortunate to be your children!
I am so looking forward to meeting Michael and the girls some day!
You are a very positive example, of what we can do I love you and yours! Donna