💌 #1 How It All Began

 November 30, 2024 is a date that I will never forget.

What started out as a routine day became an event to remember forever. I met him on that day. Not at a random event or café, but rather through an app called Interpals.
When I first started out, I wasn't looking for love. I joined Interpals simply because I wanted to broaden my horizons, meet interesting people, and maybe even pick up a new language. I never imagined I would cross paths with someone who would move me to tears. When we least anticipate it, life has a strange way of uniting individuals.

Later that night, a notification appeared on my computer. "Hi, Nice to meet you." That was all.

It was just a casual greeting, but I felt compelled to respond nevertheless. I was intrigued, perhaps because of his warm grin on the profile image. That one response would be the beginning of something extraordinary, though I didn't realize it at the time.
    

Our initial discussion was smooth sailing. Our origins, interests, preferred music, and daily lives were some of the topics we covered. There was a natural flow of conversation, with no uncomfortable moments. My desire to continue the discussion grew as our chat progressed. Surprisingly, I felt understood, and I couldn't help but smile at the television and chuckle at his jokes.

From that point on, our conversations grew in duration daily. What began as a brief exchange of pleasantries quickly devolved into hours of meaningless small talk. Good mornings soon become the same. Talking until the wee hours of the morning became my favorite part of the day. I felt a comforting warmth in my chest every time my phone lit up with his name.

His incorporation into my routine was complete by the time December rolled around. Our anxieties, aspirations, and memories of our youth were all recounted. Our conversations ranged from lighthearted banter about food and movies to more profound and heartfelt discussions. How someone so distant could bring me such a sense of security and comfort astounded me.

Until he said something one night that sent shivers down my spine.
It may be in January, but I'd really like to meet you in person.

Feelings of excitement and nervousness washed over me as I read those words. It seemed as if I were making a vow or expressing my hope that the miles between us would eventually vanish. Ever since that fateful night, it feels like the days are ticking away. When I think about finally seeing him in person, I often fantasize about how it will feel. I picture the first grin, the first stillness when words fail.

I know the feelings I have for someone are real, even though many people claim that relationships formed online are not real. His patience, love, and care have been palpable in every message, even if I haven't physically touched him yet. Our love may be different from other people's, but it is genuine for me.
Everything began with something as basic as signing up for an app, and it's mind-boggling to think about now. I gained more than just new acquaintances through Interpals. It introduced me to someone who comprehends me on a level I never thought imaginable.

For as long as I live, November 30, 2024, will remain a memorable date. It showed me that love can begin anywhere, even on a computer screen, and it was the start of something lovely.
And so it started, with two individuals on different sides of the globe connecting via words and gradually crafting a story together

*here's my first chat with him