Coffee or Tea?
Ruth sent Leo a rose on Hinge. “Coffee or Tea?”, asked Leo. “Both,” she replied, “My WeChat username is the chemical formula of caffeine.”
With determination, and a whole lot of unsubstantiated confidence, Leo opened WeChat, and added the first "caffeine" he saw. He started things off with an innocent "Caffeine, eh? 😉", thinking this was surely her.
There was no reply, because Leo added the wrong person.
"Text"book Lovers
They texted for almost two months before they first met. During that time, they discovered many similarities. They were both into 3D animation in high school, they both played tennis, they both like music. They are both cat lovers, and they both think the other person’s profession is cooler.
But just as they're alike, they're also different. Leo shops with utility in mind, while Ruth buys anything with a cat on it. Ruth loves true crime, while Leo would rather read the news. Leo loves sci-fi movies, while Ruth falls asleep to them.
That was how they texted past midnight, every night.
“Yo yo ramen tonight?”*
It was the eve of May 25, 2021 when Leo and Ruth finally met. They got ramen takeout, then brought it with them to a bench in Queen’s Park. There was a certain virus floating around at that time, and shops did not dare open their tables. Ruth looked a little rough that day, but that wasn't important. The ramen looked delicious, and someone had to eat it.
Since then, Leo and Ruth did many fun things together. They took a couple’s cooking class, baked fun pastries, and made their own perfumes. They also went to many places together: Alberta, Quebec, California, Scotland, Porto and A Coruña. During their travels, they became avid hikers and snowboarders.
It is said if you listen hard enough, you can still hear the silent cries of their wallets. Hiking and snowboarding gear aren't cheap, after all.
*If you are Japanese, that is not what you think.
A romantic surprise
They became the best comedians in each other's eyes. Every date was eventful but they managed to laugh it off in the end. The proposal was no exception.
On May 6, 2024, in the crystal garden of Porto, Portugal, Leo got down on one knee, and took a ring out of his wallet.
"Will you marry me?" He asked. Ruth looked left and right.
"Is this a prank? Is there a hidden camera? Is this a plastic ring?"
Leo laughed. "No on all counts, but... are you gonna say no?" "Of course not", she replied, "I mean yes, yes I will!"
That was how they got engaged.