In a world full of Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid success stories, it's easy to forget about all of the wonderful and wacky ways couples meet face-to-face.
The new and already wildly popular Instagram account The Way We Met (it's gained more than 137,000 followers since its inception four weeks ago) is a reminder that while, yes, people are meeting online, it's certainly not the only way they are getting together these days.
Brooklyn Sherman, 27, of Los Angeles, who started the account, has featured 55 couples so far. A few of them met online (Facebook, Tinder, etc.) but most had their first encounters organically in places like Starbucks, a pizzeria, a karaoke competition, a men's restroom, a Swedish House Mafia concert and many, many others.
"I do prefer stories in which couples meet in authentic ways, face-to-face," Sherman, who works at a talent agency by day, told The Huffington Post. "If you notice, the majority of my stories are not couples who have met through online dating. I share stories about couples out in the world doing random things, and the universe brings them together in random ways. I hope this encourages other single people to get out and start experiencing life again instead of behind their computers."
Sherman told HuffPost that she realizes this message about unplugging may be ironic to some, given that she shares these stories on social media. But she says she's just trying to get the message out any way she can.
"Social media is our world, that's just the reality of it, so if I want to change the world, I have to start by changing social media," she said. "I am sick of our generation living a lonely life behind their cell phones and computers and dream of a world where people are out seizing the natural spontaneity of life's adventures again."
At first, Sherman solicited how-we-met stories via a Facebook group called Girls Night Out. Those days are over, as she now receives hundreds of submissions daily, which she sifts through at night after work.
"People email me and tell me that they had given up on love until they started following my account and honestly hearing that, and knowing I'm making a positive difference in people's lives is all I need to hear for all of this to be worth it."
Check out a selection of great stories from real couples below. Head over to The Way We Met for more meet-cutes.
H/T Today
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