In the wee hours of a vodka-tonic-fueled karaoke night, Brian was busy roasting his friend Jason’s dating app game when he got called out—put your money where your mouth is. Never one to back down, he downloaded Hinge on the spot, despite having sworn off dating apps in favor of meeting someone “the real way.”

One mediocre date later, a few days passed, and then came Maritza.

She had just returned to Hinge herself, after taking time away from dating to reset, refocus, and manifest something real, something lasting.

Their first date was dinner at Loro in Dallas. The conversation flowed as easily as the food and drinks. Unsure where Maritza stood, Brian was instantly smitten, while Maritza was feeling super nervous and equally unsure, as Brian was her first Hinge date, period. Fortunately, the night ended with a warm embrace and, not long after, a second date was set.

Then a third.

A couple months later, Brian shared that he wanted to move to Colorado to be closer to his kids. He cautiously floated the idea of long distance.

Maritza, without hesitation: “Or I could just move with you to Denver.”

At that moment it was clear. They had found each other, and the rest of the world fell into place.

Late that fall, they made the move. Now, they’re building a life in Colorado, and getting ready to buy their first home together.

Photo: Karaoke Night at Rumors: Lost in Translation edit (IYKYK)