Meeting people online is certainly not the only way to find love. Or have you forgotten?

07 Jul 2015

Chante Petersen and Tammy February

Have you randomly met someone new lately? What could seem to you like a chance meeting may just be the hand of fate.

“It's my own Cinderella story, but instead of a glass slipper, my prince gave me a pair of Nikes.”

This is one of the many The Way We Met stories, according to Huffington Post, currently trending on a popular Instagram account created by 27-year old Brooklyn Sherman.

In a technologically-driven society, it seems that the way to meet people and build relationships is through social media apps, such as Tinder, Wechat and Whatsapp. But married couples from around the globe are becoming proof that finding your soul-mate can still happen through that spontaneous stroke of love-at-first-sight.

Sherman says she is fed up with the younger generation living their lives via means of technology. As a result, she’s decided to share stories of ordinary couples who’ve met and fell in love offline.

In an interview with Huffington Post, she does, however, recognize the irony of using social media to get the message across.

We can’t help but be enthralled with this account and the idea behind it. In an age where online romance is often lauded as the best way to meet or hook up with someone, celebrating the random unexpected face-to-face encounters that lead to happily-ever-after is something we need to do more often.

These inspiring accounts are a nudge to arrange that date you’ve been holding back on or to smile at the next stranger who catches your eye.

If you're happily married, we’d love to share an ‘aw’ moment with you, so send us a wedding snapshot of you and your partner, along with a brief story of how you met and you could win a Yuppie Chef voucher worth R250.

"We met at a sea cadet camp thousands of miles away from our respective home towns. We were 14/15 years old at the time and fell in love as much as any two kids can at that age. After leaving camp, we stayed in touch. Long phone calls, hand written letters, and chat messaging kept us close for years until he decided to join the army. From that point on, the contact was sporadic and inconsistent, but he would randomly show up and surprise me at home or at work when he was in the area. He would always come with a rose in hand and a goofy grin on his face. Eventually, I was in a relationship with someone else, became pregnant, and had a daughter. The relationship didn't last, and I was a single mom the next time he showed up to visit. He made it perfectly clear that for the first time in 10 years while we were both single, we had to give our relationship a shot. He traveled 8 hours each way every weekend for months to spend time with me and get to know my daughter. She fell for him instantly. By our 6 month anniversary he had proposed, and I was pregnant with our first child together. That was 6 years ago now. Today, we are the parents of three beautiful girls, and every now and then, he still shows up at home with a rose in hand and that same goofy grin."
A photo posted by @thewaywemet on Jun 27, 2015 at 10:34am PDT

"My ex-boyfriend dumped me out of the blue in 2008. I was heartbroken. My friend invited me to his soccer game to try and help me get my mind off of it. I was one of the few people sitting in the stands, and it was cold, so all I wanted to do was go back to my dorm room. Then Mark caught my eyes. He was sitting in the bleachers a few rows ahead of me cheering on a friend. We hit it off immediately. He ended up proposing to me in that exact spot in 2012. Oh, and the best part? My grandfather who passed away always told me to look for pennies with my birth year on them for good luck, it was our little thing together. I never found one until the night I was getting ready for my first date with Mark."
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A photo posted by @thewaywemet on Jun 21, 2015 at 7:09am PDT

"My roommates and I were watching TV at nighttime when we smelled gas. We called our landlord, the gas company and all of our dads, but no one was answering, so we dialed 911. When the fire department arrived, we were all giddy around the men in uniform. One fireman in particular, Doug, caught my eye. We ended up connecting on Facebook after he left and went on our first date the next night. Six months later we were engaged, and one and a half years later, married. There wasn't a fire that night, but I definitely ended up with my smokeshow."
A photo posted by @thewaywemet on Jun 22, 2015 at 11:50am PDT

"I met Jon when I was in 4th grade. I was instantly attracted to his long locks and good looks, but during our short time dating I caught a Hussie sitting on his lap. I broke up with him and he wrote me a letter trying to win me back, which I actually still have, but I wasn't convinced. We went on to different high schools and only had an occasional run in at 7-11 and a coffee shop. After high school, I went to Parsons in New York to study fashion. It wasn't until 2012 when I was visiting Michigan for a little R&R, that I went to a house party and heard someone yell "Jamie!?" I turned around and sure enough it was Jon. We ended up talking on the porch all night, but it wasn't enough. We found ourselves flying back and forth from New York to Michigan to visit each other and had many Skype dates. I would make him "sit with me" while I had dinner and would bring him into the bathroom while I was brushing my teeth. Jon passed the bar to become a lawyer and finally moved to New York to be with me. Tonight we were married"
A photo posted by @thewaywemet on Jun 13, 2015 at 6:46pm PDT

"I was walking with my friends on Rodeo Drive and he was modeling in the Yves Saint Laurent Store. I saw him and asked my friend for a piece of paper and wrote down my name and phone number. I walked inside and said Hi (I didn't speak English at the time, I only knew how to say hi and bye) and gave him the paper. He texted me the same day saying "Hello, It's Austin, the guy from the store." I didn't know how to answer because I couldn't write it! Google translate helped me A LOT. I asked him on a date the next day and we went for ice cream and talked like Indians. One month into dating, I told him I was leaving for Spain and if he wanted something serious with me, he needed to meet my parents. And he did... he traveled to Spain to meet my family. 2 years later here we are, married."
A photo posted by @thewaywemet on Jun 3, 2015 at 9:35pm PDT

"A couple of years ago I needed some new running shoes, so I went to a sports store close to where I live. There was this guy with green eyes who worked there and asked me if I needed help. With butterflies in my stomach, I told him I was a personal trainer and needed new running shoes. We started talking and eventually he sold me a pair and I left the store. A few days later, I started seeing him at the gym where I worked and we ended up working out together (couples who train together stay together.) Today we are married with a beautiful daughter. It's my own Cinderella story, but instead of a glass slipper, my prince gave me a pair of Nikes."
A photo posted by @thewaywemet on Jun 28, 2015 at 12:43pm PDT

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FAQs

Is online the only way to meet someone? ›

While dating online can be wonderful for some people, opportunities abound for meeting romantic partners in an organic way. Your psyche will benefit by dating IRL, too.

Tell Me More ›

Can you love someone you've only met online? ›

Online relationships are just as real as relationships where people have met in person. If you feel truly in love with this person thatâ€™s great and itâ€™s okay to see where this relationship is going to take you and to follow your heart.

What percentage of people find love online? ›

Dating App Success Rate

Nearly 70% of individuals who met someone on a dating app said it led to a romantic, exclusive relationship, while 28% said it did not. Individuals between ages 43 and 58 found the most success with online dating, with 72% stating that meeting on a dating app led to a romantic relationship.

Can you really find love online? ›

Looking for Love? Online Dating is the New Normal

Happily for those looking for a real connection, this statement is simply not true. Yes, if you're in the market for a bit of fun, there are sites and apps that can provide. But, it's also entirely possible to get serious and find love online.

Show Me More ›

Can I find love without online dating? ›

Yes, you can find real love without looking for it online or in person . Love often finds you when you don't expect it, and sometimes the best things happen by chance . When you're not actively searching for a partner, you have more time to work on yourself, your interests, and the things you're passionate about .

Discover More Details ›

Can you fall for someone you meet online? ›

Yes, it is possible to fall in love with someone you met online and have been talking to each other for several years.

Discover More Details ›

Do couples who met online stay together? ›

Ten years ago, the direction of this effect leaned slightly positive, with people who met through online dating reporting more satisfying and stable marriages. Today, it is reversed: Online daters in our study reported less satisfying and stable marriage than those who met their spouse the old-fashioned way.

What age do most people meet their spouse? ›

People Often Meet 'The One' in Their Late Twenties

In the US, the average age for first marriage is 28, and the Pew Research Center concluded that 62% of college-educated individuals are married or have been married by 30. So, why are our late twenties the “right” age for settling down?

Find Out More ›

What is the most popular age for online dating? ›

More than half of adults aged 18-29 (56%) have used online dating sites or apps, and this youngest group of adults is also the most likely to be current users (13%). Nearly half of adults aged 30-49 (47%) have used such a site or app at some time in their lives.

Discover More Details ›

How can you tell if an online lover is real? ›

How To Spot Scammers on a Dating Site: 9 Warning Signs

You can't find information about them online.
They quickly tell you they love you (i.e., “love bombing”)
Too perfect — especially in photos.
Always traveling or live far away from you.
Refuse to video chat (or always cancel)
Constant family or personal emergencies.

More items...

Tell Me More ›

Is online love real or fake? ›

Genuine individuals in online relationships typically exhibit consistency in their communication and behavior over time. They are transparent about their identities, intentions, and feelings, fostering trust and mutual understanding.

Why can't I find love online? ›

One of the main reasons why people struggle with dating apps is because they are not clear about the person they want to meet. Simply swiping through numerous profiles will not produce the man or woman of your dreams. You must have a clear image in your mind of the person you want to meet.

Is it better to meet In-person or online? ›

What are the benefits of in-person meetings vs virtual? In-person meetings excel in scenarios that require complex discussions, relationship cultivation, and team-building. In contrast, virtual meetings provide accessibility and cost-efficiency, overcoming geographical barriers and reducing travel-related expenses.

Learn More Now ›

Can you miss someone you've only met online? ›

Missing someone is associated with having some kind of connection with that person. The connection can be close or distant, like an online friend you've never met, or a deceased relative you've only heard about through stories.

See Details ›

Is the dating app the only way to meet people? ›

Dating apps may be common, but that doesn't mean you can't still meet people organically. The hardest part can be knowing where to look. So whether you're done with dating apps for good or if you just want to give yourself more options, here are some tips for meeting people “in the wild.”

Discover More Details ›

Do more couples meet online or In-person? ›

Most people meet their spouse through online dating, according to The Knot 2023 Jewelry and Engagement Study*. The latest online dating statistics support how this method of meeting has been on a steady incline since 2015, with over one in every four couples now getting married after meeting online.

Learn More Now ›

Meeting people online is certainly not the only way to find love. Or have you forgotten? | Life (2024)

FAQs

Is online the only way to meet someone? ›

What age do most people meet their spouse? ›

References