It wasn’t quite love at first swipe, but it was close. Like many modern couples, Zoë and Adam matched on Hinge, but Zoë left Adam waiting for three weeks before finally replying. When she did, Adam responded immediately—he was clearly excited.

When it came time for their first date on a freezing November night, Adam suggested a spot near Zoë’s Central Square apartment, only to discover it had shut down permanently. Luckily, he quickly found another option nearby, and Zoë, who unsurprisingly had already planned on being fashionably late, stayed warm at her apartment while Adam sorted out their plans. To this day, Adam stands by the fact that Zoë would've loved the first location, had it not been closed.

Their banter came easily, and they spent the night at Little Donkey sharing small plates and cracking each other up, quickly realizing they both had excellent taste in food — and humor. With the world still semi-closed, most of their early dates involved getting takeout and casual nights in, proving that great snacks, Adam's jokes, and good conversation were all they really needed.

Just a few weeks into dating, Zoë had to move back to Raleigh to continue her PhD. They stayed in touch casually at first, but reconnected more seriously over the summer of 2021 when Zoë returned to Boston. By then, they were inseparable, making the most of their time together before Zoë moved back to Raleigh that fall.

Long-distance didn’t faze them—they talked constantly and visited each other as often as possible. In May 2022, Zoë officially earned her PhD and moved to Boston that summer. Adam flew down to Raleigh, just to drive her U-Haul the 14-hour trip up to Boston. They settled into a cozy Somerville apartment together, and almost three years later, Zoë is still redecorating.

In February 2024, Adam got down on one knee, sealing the deal. Now, after navigating long distances, lots of good meals (mostly cooked by Adam), and years of laughter, they’re thrilled to celebrate their next chapter together.