Love at First Ride

Sometimes, love can surprise you.

A flight attendant, Dora was headed for the skies while Dylan, a part-time Uber driver-partner, was used to plying the highways and byways of Singapore’s roads.

They met on the way the way to the airport in an uberPOOL ride that was filled with good conversation and punctuated with laughter. Since she was the last passenger to be dropped off, they had the opportunity to chat a little bit more. Just casual conversation: how was her job, why she chose to go into that line, which university did she graduate from.

Eventually, they arrived at the airport. While the ride may have ended, their story had only begun.

He did not ask for her number during the trip; that wasn’t the right thing to do since he was providing a service. However, she had made an impression on him. So, he turned to the power of social networking and asked friends, as well as friends of friends, about her.

All good things come to those who wait.

Two days later, a “friend of a friend of a friend” got back to him. Through this intermediary, he asked whether she remembered him… and, to his delight, she did. He then asked whether  it was alright for him to get her phone number. And, again, she said yes.

With everything in hand and with her being aware that he would reach out to her, he summoned his courage and texted her, “How do you find your job?”

Okay, not the smoothest line in the history of romantic lines… but it worked. It led to more conversations, and then eventually meet ups and suppers.

Three months later, they are still together and will celebrate their first Valentine’s Day today.

Here’s to you both, Dora and Dylan. Happy Valentine’s Day!