Nice to meet you...

I ask my couples "so, how did you meet?", to which they often reply "through friends or "at work". Nothing wrong with that you might think. In fact it's all right. How could it not be? Friends and workplaces in common act as a shortcut for us when we're looking for a partner. You think: "I like my friend and I trust their taste in other friends, therefore I'm probably going to like their friends too". Chances are if you work in the same company you'll have interests and values in common. After all, it's basic psychology, termed affinity bias which means we tend to prefer people who share similar interests, backgrounds, and experiences as us. Rather than trawling through dating apps or trying to meet people in bars, we can save time and make meaningful connections with people.

I met my husband at work. We did totally different jobs, but it just so happened that his office was opposite to the staff kitchen, so every time I went to make a cup of tea I would see his lovely face smiling at me from his desk. Gradually, over several weeks we ended up in the same space, chatting, brewing up or heating our lunches in the microwave. Eventually, he'd ask me if I was going to the Christmas do to which I replied "Yes but do you think I can bring a friend?". I only found out later that his heart had dropped and he felt like any hope of romance with me was gone. What I should've mentioned to him was that I meant my platonic friend Sarah :). In the end I went to the party alone, we had a a fabulous time drinking and flirting and yaddah, yaddah, yada. Now 16 years later we're married with 3 kids and a cockerpoo.

As you can see my shortcut led to a perfect match. I hope for my couples they find love similarly, whether it be through happenstance office building meet ups, a chance intro via a friend. Embrace the shortcut. You never know where it might lead you.