Going viral can have more benefits than just a pat on the back from your mates and a dead battery from all the notifications you are getting.
For Josh Avsec, 22, and Michelle Arendas, 21, the internet falling in love with their odd story has resulted in a free holiday to Maui, Hawaii, courtesy of dating app Tinder.
Josh and Michelle began messaging back in September 2014, but after Michelle neglected to reply to Josh’s first message until two months later, the pair began sending late replies with accompanying rubbish excuses.
This continued over the next three years until Josh decided to post the exchange on Twitter.
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
It quickly went viral and Michelle even joined the party.
sorry I'd reply but I need to give it a few months !
— Michelle Arendas (@mch_rnd) July 8, 2017
Josh, from Ohio, said: “So many people were telling us that we were relationship goals or that it was so cute, it really stacked the pressure to get to know her.
“So while this tweet was going viral, I sent her a couple direct messages, making jokes about all of these hilarious comments.”
In a stroke of marketing genius, the pair were then contacted by Tinder, who asked them which city they’d like to go to, paid for by the dating app.
It’s time you got together IRL. You have 24 hrs to decide the city you want to have your first date in and we’ll send you there! @mch_rnd https://t.co/7r2JQtcxKC
— Tinder (@Tinder) July 10, 2017
Maui in Hawaii was the chosen destination.
Aloha! We're sending you to Maui but you can't take two years to pack your bags! 🏖️
— Tinder (@Tinder) July 11, 2017
Honestly just a huge s/o to the internet! thx for making some of my dreams come true, I've always been a big fan !!!!!!
— Michelle Arendas (@mch_rnd) July 11, 2017
They seem pretty chuffed about the offer, and the internet is praying this free holiday has a happy ending!
This is gonna be awesome! Count us in to help make this especially memorable. We're in talks with @tinder now. @wes_03 @mch_rnd @BuzzFeed pic.twitter.com/NgPapHASAd
— Maui Hawaii (@Maui) July 12, 2017
Modern day "You've Got Mail" story…but call it "You Swiped Right"….make it happen
— ZombieGirl (@ZombieGirl5591) July 11, 2017