Modern Love

Bumble users share how they went from the initial match to moving in.

By Nicholas Barancyk, Photos courtesy of Bumble

Embracing the single life can be tough when February rolls around. As half the month seems devoted to couples, it’s not surprising online-dating usage spikes this time of year. In 2017, Apptopia reported more than 1.5 million downloads for dating apps in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. This year, Bumble alone expects more than 1 million new users.

But behind all those numbers are stories—love stories. Austin Woman and Austin-based Bumble teamed up to share some of the dating app’s best matches and firsthand advice for making the first move.

Cecily Gold and Brendan Moore

Austin Woman: Where was your first date?

Cecily Gold: Our first date was a bit of a scavenger hunt. We planned on meeting for dinner—which I wouldn’t typically do on a first date, but we had been talking for a week on Bumble and were really hitting it off—at a new Italian restaurant on the Eastside of Austin. Brendan hadn’t made a reservation, and when we showed up, we found out an entire wedding party had rented the place out for a rehearsal dinner and there were no tables available. So, we walked to another nearby restaurant, Bufalina, only to find out that the wait was multiple hours. In the January cold, we set out walking again and eventually found a cute cocktail bar, Weather Up, that had delicious drinks but the tiniest menu. We shared a dinner of cocktails with a cheese-plate dessert.  

AW: How do you define a successful relationship?

CG: I personally feel like a relationship is successful when you can fully embrace the beautiful uniqueness of your partner and empower them to be the best version of themselves daily. I love Brendan entirely for who he is today and for who I know he’ll become. We have full faith in each other’s potential, and we encourage and support each other to reach that potential every day. Brendan is my biggest supporter in life, and I adore everything about him.

AW: What do you love to do together?

CG: We love to play music together. We both have musical backgrounds and often lead worship together at our little church in South Austin. We also love spending time with my 8-year-old son, our four pets, our families and friends.

AW: What upcoming goals do you have for your relationship?

CG: We just bought a house together and are planning on taking my son on his first international vacation this summer. Having Brendan by my side in parenting and watching his relationship with my son grow has been the most incredible experience.

AW: What advice would you give to people who are nervous to make the first move?

CG: Your next connection could be your soul mate, so just say hi. Don’t overthink it. You have nothing to lose.

Kate Armington and Iker Urquiola

AW: How do you define a successful relationship?

Kate Armington: Before meeting Iker, I would have answered this as two partners benefiting each other’s lives more often than not. Now that I’ve experienced this, though, I’d say finding a partner who puts your relationship before their individual needs and who is worthy of you doing the same. The biggest difference between this relationship and my others is he never gave me reason to question the value of a true partner and the confidence and value it brought to my life as an individual.

AW: What upcoming goals do you have for your relationship?

KA: We moved in together a little over six months ago. Right now, we’re working on traveling as much as possible and redefining balance in new jobs. Our day-to-day goal is always the same, though: make a moment to share together and connect so we feel revitalized enough to take that energy and conquer our respective days.

AW: What advice would you give to people who are nervous to make the first move?

KA: Focus more on the act than the delivery. As an introvert, I spent a lot of my time mustering up the courage to just initiate conversation and zero time thinking about the delivery. Iker was the most attractive match I had made and I was very new to dating apps. Needless to say, I was so intimidated. By the time I convinced myself to make the first move, I worried so little on how I did it that it led to the conversation. In hindsight, though, the best parts of my life—my relationship, the friendships that came from it and my job—all stemmed from me having the courage to just make the first move.

Sarah Weiss and Alex Goot 

AW: How do you define a successful relationship?

Alex Goot: I think a successful relationship is one in which both people bring out the best in each other. Sarah and I are constantly making sure that we are doing right by each other, checking in on our relationship and keeping the lines of communication open.

AW: What do you love to do together?

AG: We love traveling, trying new food, spending time with friends and taking our pup, Gouda, out for adventures around Austin.

AW: What upcoming goal do you have for your relationship?

AG: Sarah and I are moving in together this spring. After almost two years of long-distance [relationship], we are so excited to be able to bicker in person instead of just over the phone. We’re also trying to make it to Europe this summer for a few weeks, and we plan to keep on spoiling our dog and maybe get a new one.

AW: What advice would you give to people who are nervous to make the first move?

AG: As Shia LaBeouf says, “Just do it!” I was so scared to message Sarah because she was actually the first girl I matched with, but I bit the bullet and never looked back. If it doesn’t work out, you never have to see that person again. And if you’re lucky enough to find your best friend, you’ll be so glad you made the first move.