10 Unexpected Places Romance Blossomed This Summer

There seems to be a lot of misery related to dating these days: unreciprocated energy, commitment issues and swiping fatigue (to name a few).

We previously reported that many singles prefer to meet romantic prospects organically while out and about. And, while there are hot spots where meeting new people is common, some of the most romantic encounters happen — what’s that cliché again? — when you least expect it.

That seems to be the case for the roughly 120 submissions we received in response to our call out for summer meet-cute stories. Readers shared stories of locking eyes at cooking classes, seminars, soccer league games, museums and airports. Many met their lovers abroad.

While the narrative of the horror that is the dating scene in 2024 feels inescapable, here are 10 delightful stories about meeting someone special this summer that might make you believe in love again.

Submissions have been edited for length and clarity.

A Museum Meet-Cute

I was visiting Washington, D.C., and randomly decided to go to the National Gallery of Art. I caught myself looking at a girl, and she must have been looking at me, too. We both smiled at each other. Emboldened, I asked her to take a picture of me in front of a couple of Rothko paintings. That turned into a 15-minute conversation about where we went to college and graduate school, then more pictures, and then a trip to the botanical garden. What stood out to me is that meeting someone in person is so much better than meeting someone online. Our connection was instant and felt genuine. It also was unexpected — something missing from modern dating.

We are definitely still friends — we exchanged numbers and followed each other on Instagram — but I am not sure if I’ll ever see her again. If I am ever in her city, I’ll certainly text her, and I said, “If you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods, we should meet up.”

— Louis Shaheen, Columbus, Ohio