What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with an Uber love story? We sat down with Ryan and Anthony, two top-rated drivers from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who are getting ready to tie the knot.
Uber: Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! How long have you guys been together?
Anthony: 12 years, but we actually went to high school together—we just didn’t know each other.
Ryan: The school we went to was really big, so it was easy to go 4 years without ever meeting someone.
Anthony: There are actually pictures of us in the same school photos, but we’re sitting on opposite ends of the bench.
Uber: What did you guys do after high school, and how did you finally meet?
Ryan: We graduated in 2005, never having met each other, and I got a job at a car dealership in the area, working at the front desk.
Anthony: She was somewhat of an unofficial spokesperson for the dealership. All the customers knew her and loved her, and recognized her voice because it was on the answering machine.
Ryan: Then Anthony did some college coursework and had a few apprenticeships and jobs doing water treatment, sanitation, and construction work.
Anthony: So one night after work, my friend and I went out to grab a bite to eat, and when we got to the restaurant, my friend said, “Hey, there’s that girl Ryan that went to our high school.” So we got introduced and started talking and… that was it!
Uber: So what made you decide to leave your jobs and start driving with Uber?
Anthony: My contract working in water sanitation ended, and I decided I wanted to go into real estate, so while I was building up that business, I needed something flexible and part-time. Uber seemed like a great option.
Ryan: For me, it was mostly because my mom had a stroke, and my dad couldn’t always be home with her, so I wanted something with a more flexible work schedule where I could make my own hours and still be near my mom in Stamford. So, driving is my full-time work now.
Uber: Do you remember your first trip?
Ryan: Oh yeah! I remember I turned on the app for the first time. I was a little nervous because I didn’t really know what to expect, but I assumed I’d be doing local rides around Connecticut all day. Then, when I picked up my first rider and his destination showed up in the app, it said Atlantic City! I’d never been there before, so I got really excited. I called Anthony after I dropped the rider off and said, “You’ll never guess where I am—I’m in Atlantic city—this is so great!”
Anthony: Mine was pretty straight-forward. I picked a guy up at his office and took him to a Mexican restaurant to get lunch. Not as exciting as Atlantic City! [laughs]
Uber: What’s your favorite thing about driving with Uber?
Anthony: For me, it’s the flexibility. Being able to pursue my real estate business while driving, on my schedule, to bring in extra money…I get to be my own boss.
Ryan: I love the people. It’s interesting to think about who you’ll meet today, who you’ll come across.
Anthony: And it’s not just us—our families drive, too.
Ryan: Yeah, my brother drives with Uber in Las Vegas, and Anthony’s brother drives in Atlanta.
Uber: Sounds like a real family affair. Speaking of family affairs, how is wedding planning going?
Ryan: It’s been really fun! We decided on a September wedding in Jamaica. Anthony has family there, so we thought it’d be fun to do a small destination wedding.
Anthony: Lots of Caribbean food, reggae and calypso music…it’s going to be great—we can’t wait.
Uber: Last question, and it’s a very important one—who has the better rating?
Ryan: Oh, I do! [laughs] Anthony and my brother compare ratings sometimes… but, mine’s always the highest.
Ryan and Anthony’s story doesn’t end there; last week, they were guests on Star 99.9’s The Anna & Raven Show, giving relationship advice on a segment called “Uber Therapy.” Have a listen!
- “Uber Therapy: My boyfriend won’t introduce me to his family.”
- “Uber Therapy: My husband’s female co-worker is sending him flirtatious texts.”
- “Uber Therapy: My fiancée’s best friend is a guy. Can men and women be just friends?”
- “Uber Therapy: My wife has given up on her appearance.”
- “Uber Therapy: “My mother-in-law is rude to me and called me a gold-digger.”
Posted by Sarah
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