When the girl at the beachside bar told me to download a dating app while I was in town, I looked at her and then at my cracked screen. I thought, “Why not?” Maybe it was the drinks I had, or maybe I just wanted to distract myself. Recently, I went through a nasty breakup, so dating was not on my radar, but… I couldn’t say no to a free drink. Before she left with her parents, I downloaded the app. I waved goodbye and ordered another round.

Tinder once upon a time, but wasn’t too active on it.

Hinge had me for a few days, but I was not ready to date right after the breakup, and to the trash it went.

OkCupid and I had an interesting summer once when I used it to avoid dealing with reality.

Bumble, however, is the app I’ve had the most luck with. I used it back in 2018 and met a guy from it. It didn’t work out, but it was an entertaining time—and when I was trying to get over that relationship, I ended up at the bar where I met my recent ex. Sure, Bumble brings some mixed results, but there are also lessons unfolding from my time using it…I guess?

Now you understand why I needed a few drinks before I started swiping on dating apps again.

The Setup

I used some fun pictures from a recent photoshoot at my local park. No group shots. No linking it up to any account. Kept it casual. My bio was short and simple. “In town for the week, looking for a local guide. May stay in town for you if you like Taylor Swift.” Date age range? Let’s keep it 29+. My ex is 3 years younger than me and I found that age difference challenging. Finally, time to swipe. Just swipe. And swipe I did.

The Match

I matched with Dr. Strange. Okay that’s not his name but you’ll see why I call him Dr. Strange in a bit.

We matched. I reached out. We made plans to have drinks the following night because that night he was hanging with his friends. As luck would have it, I was supposed to have skipped town the following night but I didn’t do my proper research and ended up staying an extra night. Fate? Who knows! All I said was, “Just don’t make me late for my train.” I was tipsy when I made this plan, so I really thought he would flake the next day. The next morning he asked where and what time we were meeting, color me surprised! I confessed I was tired from playing tourist and was planning on watching some TV in my room, alone, with the bag of Hot Cheetos I had waiting for me. He said he’d come over to see me and did not mind rewatching the episode I was queuing up.

He drove up to the restaurant I was enjoying dinner at. I clicked my heels over to his blue car, but not before taking a picture of myself and sending it to my friend. This is what I last looked like and where I was! This is his car! Women can never be too careful. From the minute I slid into the front seat, I knew I was in for an adventure. We chatted about traffic (can’t take the SoCal out of this girl), his work, my work, what brought me to his city, and lastly, Marvel. Turns out, he was very intelligent when it came to the physics of the multiverses (Dr. Strange, get it?) and I was very impressed. We went toe-to-toe on everything related to Marvel!

The First Date

He took me to a brewery and I have to admit I found it attractive that he knew everyone and everyone knew him. There were dogs and live country music. It was a lot of fun! Even more fun, the open container law! We took our beers to go and chatted about multiverses and superheroes all the way to the first rooftop bar. There we had some tequila shots and joked about bridal party clichés—all while avoiding the awkward chat about how both of our parents wanted us to marry and have children. I thought he might go in for a kiss, but he only touched my knees and left shoulder, and pushed my hair out of my face.

Sliding to the Next Stop

We headed next door to another rooftop bar. I will definitely remember this one forever because we had to slide down in order to get to the bar. Yes, a slide! I was wearing a dress and got stuck halfway… He just laughed. I made him buy us the next round of beer. On this rooftop bar, we talked about Tarot, astrology and he even let me read his chart! As someone who strongly believes in the magic of the Universe, meeting a true Libra (Sun, Moon, and Rising!) the night before my birthday, with the Full Moon in Libra, it symbolized relationship endings and closure. I wasn’t even supposed to be in town that night, yet here I was with someone who embodied everything I needed to hear from the Universe. He took my polaroid at this bar and that photo still hangs on my travel corkboard.

The Grand Finale

Walking on cobblestones, we headed to our final destination that night, a pub. Our hands made slight contact and he held it as we crossed the street. Electric! Chemistry for sure, but nope, no feelings! Dr. Strange bought me my first ever Irish breakfast shot. So yummy! We laughed and continued to have a great time until it was time to drop me off at my hotel. In his car, he played a song I didn’t think anyone else would listen to, but one I secretly loved—Damien Rice’s “Volcano.” If this was his way of wooing me, Dr. Strange was pulling it off really well. He helped me bring my luggage up to my room and then got comfortable.

What happened next, happened. We talked until 3 a.m., I shared some of my poetry, he showed me some mashups on YouTube, and then I fell asleep. That was his cue to leave. We said goodbye, and I left town the next morning—grinning as I listened to some Taylor Swift.

Dr. Strange kept his promise and didn’t let me miss my train after all.

Chances of a second date*: ♥♥♥♥♥

*if I lived in town