Yesterday, I think I met my future for the first time.

It all began with a simple swipe, a gesture bridging thousands of miles, leading to three months of text exchanges. Our first face-to-face meeting was a revelation of ease and laughter. This wasn't your typical "Netflix and chill" comfort but the fluffy bliss of your favourite hoodie warmth after an invigorating ice bath.

As we shared wine and stories, our contrasting personalities played: her subtle extroversion contrasted with my louder disposition, and our banter was as refreshing as the cool side of a pillow. Our chats, often amusingly lost in translation between Ukrainian and South African nuances, were hilarious (I snorted and laughed occasionally), to the evident annoyance of anyone sitting next to us.

We chose a slow pace, a novel approach in my usually hasty dating life, indicating a healthy change and perhaps something deeper and more meaningful. Her quirks – like a slightly crooked tooth and perilously long lashes that could remove an eye with each kiss - have got me!

Her 'unique' tastes – from well-done steaks (say it ain't so!) to herring specialities ("You eat the privates of a fish?!) and Russian-subtitled series – added layers to our unfolding story.

In this unexpected tale of swipe to subtitles, I found a potential future and a reminder of life's serendipity. Meeting her has left me excited and overly excited for 2024, promising new laughter, learning, and perhaps, love.