Let’s be honest. Most of us grew up thinking true love stories needed candlelit dinners, handwritten letters, and long walks under the stars… you know, the whole “Notebook” package. But somewhere along the way, texts replaced love letters, video calls replaced front porch swings, and emojis became a kind of shorthand for affection.
And strangely enough, it still works. In fact, sometimes, it works better than we expect.
If you need proof, look at Dr. Thomas McMeekin’s story.
You might have seen his viral proposal video circulating on the internet last year. It happened at Tampa International Airport. Picture this: a man in his late seventies, holding a typed-out love letter (because, as he admits, his handwriting is pure doctor scribble), down on one knee in front of his high school sweetheart. She says yes. The crowd claps. His coworkers are crying behind phone cameras. And just like that, two people, separated by time and life and geography, are in love again.
And the wildest part? It all happened through screens before it ever happened in person.
Love in the Time of Texting
Tom and Nancy hadn’t spoken in decades. Not years. Decades. They’d dated once in college, went their separate ways, and lived full lives with marriages, kids, careers, and all the ups and downs that come with that.
Then, out of the blue, a high school reunion invite gave Tom a nudge. He decided to attend. I sent a friendly email to let them know I was coming. Nancy saw it. Answered.
That’s where it all began. Two old friends are reconnecting. Easy.
But here’s what makes it special. That first email turned into a few more. Then texts. Then, nightly calls. And pretty soon, they were FaceTiming for hours. Sharing stories, family photos, memories, even meals. At one point, they were sending each other daily pictures of their dogs. Another day, it was home-cooked meals. And when one of them said, “Wanna play Words with Friends?” the other one didn’t hesitate.
It was like they’d never been apart.
Except they had for over half a century.
More Than Just Emojis
Some people scoff at the idea of falling in love online. It’s not “real” unless you’re sitting across the table from someone. But let’s break that down for a second.
Think about what really makes a relationship grow. It’s not just physical chemistry or shared space. It’s conversation. It’s curiosity. It’s being vulnerable enough to tell someone how your day went, what scares you, what makes you laugh, what you secretly hope for. And sometimes, doing that from behind a screen makes it easier.
You can pause before you reply. You can reread their words. You can fall asleep smiling at a message and wake up to another one.
Tom and Nancy built something beautiful across a digital bridge. The distance, over 2,700 miles between Florida and California, somehow brought them closer. They weren’t distracted by the noise of everyday life. They just talked. A lot. Honestly. Sweetly. Sometimes awkwardly. But always sincerely.
That kind of connection? That’s not only real. It’s rare.
FaceTime, Feelings, and Falling Fast
You hear the term “digital native” thrown around a lot, usually about kids who grew up with iPhones glued to their hands. But let me tell you. Nancy and Tom adapted just fine.
Once they discovered the magic of FaceTime, there was no turning back. It became their nightly ritual. Catching up, laughing, seeing each other’s faces light up when one of them said something especially kind. They shared old yearbook photos, family updates, political rants (which, thank goodness, they agreed on), and even late-night poetry.
Yup, poetry. Tom would write Nancy little poems in the morning, sometimes goofy, sometimes heartfelt. She’d text back with a quote or a quick love note. That sort of thing might sound over the top, but when it’s 11 p.m., and your phone lights up with someone who wants to say they’re thinking about you, it’s not silly. It’s everything.
And the trust? It grew faster than they expected. They discussed past relationships, painful memories, and things they thought they’d buried. And they listened. Without judgment. Just deep, open-hearted listening, the kind you don’t always get face-to-face.
So, Is Digital Love “Real” Love?
It’s a fair question. Can you really fall in love with someone through a screen?
Tom and Nancy would say yes. A loud, resounding yes.
They’d say love isn’t about proximity. It’s about presence. It’s about showing up, even if that means showing up via Zoom at midnight because you’re in different time zones. It’s about remembering the little things someone said three days ago and asking them about it again because you care.
Sure, they eventually saw each other in person. And yes, that first hug was emotional, awkward, and perfect. But they already knew each other by then. The hard part, the vulnerable part, had already occurred in the digital space.
When Tom proposed at the airport, he wasn’t leaping into the unknown. He was confirming what they both already knew. This love was already built. It had been constructed through calls, texts, blurry selfies, and way too many emojis. And that made it no less real than anything that came before.
One Last Thought
If you’re someone who still rolls your eyes at dating apps, long-distance relationships, or older couples using tech to stay connected, maybe it’s time to rethink that.
Technology doesn’t kill romance. It simply provides us with new ways to say it.
Tom and Nancy didn’t need music or candles. They have FaceTime, a strong Wi-Fi signal, and the desire to try again. That was more than enough for them.
The next time you receive a text that makes recipients happy, pause for a second. Go with it. Who knows? You might be at the start of your own digital love story.