Michael and I met on an online dating app. We had apparently both swiped right, and Michael attempted conversation with me several times before I bothered to respond. I was at a point in my life where I was struggling to find or enjoy the dating anymore. Michael asked for a “soft” meeting, a let’s take a look at one another and see if we’re interested in pursuing. I agreed; one early afternoon in September I had him meet me outside my school (hindsight-it’s good he wasn’t a stalker). Our first encounter was brief but friendly. I suppose we both passed the “soft test,” because we made a date for later that week. Our first date was fun, we went bowling and discovered a mutual hatred of Applebee’s. Being around him was just so easy. It softened my view on dating and made me consider the possibility of thinking more serious. We didn’t make any hard plans to see one another again, but I knew we would. He called me the following evening and we spoke on the phone for about four hours. Now anyone who knows me, knows my preferred method of communication is text. I keep phone conversations brief and to the point. But something about us brought me back to my teenage phoneline tethered self who could talk for hours. Talking with Michael was easy, effortless and yet engaging. I knew at that point something was different A few days later I cooked him dinner and he met Laila. I met Kyra, Kayla, and Michael not long after that. From there we just committed to making it work, jumbled up together with all four kids turns out is my happy place. And although it isn’t always easy, Michael makes my life more enjoyable and I adore the man, father, and partner that he is. | 
