Tinder couple meet on Good Morning America after 3 years of messaging

For those of you who thought Tinder was only for men eager to send pics of their nether regions to unsuspecting women, here’s a story that may make you change your tune, if only for a moment.

Kent State University students Josh Avsec, a 22-year-old zoology major, and Michelle Arendas, 21, who is studying Public Communication, matched up on the dating app Tinder in September of 2014. They communicated quite sporadically, with months between messages. Each time they got back in touch, one would offer up a lame excuse for not reaching out for so long. (My personal favorite was Michelle’s “President’s Day had me swamped recently, you know how it gets!” Yeah, Arbor Day is a bitch for me, so I can identify.)

Earlier this month, Josh tweeted screenshots of their lengthy online courtship and the exchange went viral. Along with the post, Josh joked “Hahahaha one day I’m going to meet this girl and it’s going to be epic.” And it sure was.

Hahahaha one day I'm going to meet this girl and it's going to be epic. Look at the dates of our tinder texts. pic.twitter.com/DASQK4c5cX

— Josh Avsec (@Wes_03) July 8, 2017

Not only was the internet buzzing about the exchange, Michelle became aware of it after being tagged in the tweet’s thread. Josh told PEOPLE Magazine that once he learned of this, “I was like a deer in the headlights, because I didn’t expect that.” Tinder also took notice and sent Josh a tweet offering to send them on a first date in the city of their choice. Josh chose Maui. He’s no dummy.

After a long debate over your unbelievably generous offer, our dream first-date would be in Hawaii. Meet you in Maui?? @mch_rnd

— Josh Avsec (@Wes_03) July 11, 2017

Josh and Michelle had their first face-to-face meeting on Tuesday’s Good Morning America. They were interviewed “Dating Game style” behind a partition by hosts Lara Spencer and Michael Strahan before finally meeting in person. We learned that Michelle’s karaoke jam is “Summer of ’69,” while Josh prefers the smooth sounds of JohnLegend’s “All of Me.” They do both enjoy potato chips and popcorn (he: movie theater butter, her: kettle) and both love The Office. Sounds promising.

When the two finally locked eyes, you could tell that there was definitely some attraction there. They are such cute kids and they do make a good-looking couple. After meeting, Josh said, “This is a dream come true. I can’t believe I’m seeing her right now.” When asked what her parents thought of the unconventional courtship, Michelle responded, “I hope they’re thinking good things. It’s just been a crazy adventure so far. I know it took me by surprise and it definitely took them by surprise as well.” Josh noted that his sister met her fiancé on Tinder, after which Michelle joke “No pressure.” The GMA segment is definitely worth a watch, especially if you are a hopeless romantic at heart like yours truly.

As for their epic “first date” in Maui, the pair told PEOPLE that while they don’t have an official date, they’re hoping to get away sometime within the next month. Michelle told the magazine that “I will definitely say that I’m excited, but I might be more nervous about the whole gravity of the trip. We’ve been talking and we’ve really started to get to know each other, so I’m not that nervous, I’m just really anticipating it.” Josh shared the (slightly guarded) enthusiasm, saying of the trip, “I am so unbelievably excited, I’m like the energizer bunny!”

I love this story and I hope Josh and Michelle have a blast in Hawaii. I met my current beau on Tinder, so if there’s hope for me, there’s definitely hope for these two.

Photos: Good Morning America, Josh Avsec, Michelle Arendas

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