When Justin Ryan Leung and Andrea Ng first connected on OkCupid, neither expected a casual cafe date to lead to three wedding celebrations.
After two years of being single, Andrea Ng decided to create a profile on OkCupid. In her description she wrote, “Looking for the best coffee in New York,” hoping to spark engaging conversations.
Justin Ryan Leung, who was adjusting to single life after the end of a seven-year relationship, was intrigued. “What caught my attention was her quest for the best coffee,” he said. “It made me think she’d enjoy exploring the city, something I love to do.”
When he asked her if she had found the best spot yet, their conversation led to a first date at Devoción, a coffee shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
On Jan. 3, 2015, Mr. Leung arrived early, nervously searching for the perfect seat. When Ms. Ng walked in, broken umbrella in hand and soaked from the rain, their nerves melted away as they began talking. “I couldn’t believe we were talking for over two hours — with no alcohol, just coffee and doughnuts, being present,” she said.
Coincidentally, both had plans in Chinatown later that evening. Ms. Ng planned to meet friends at Shanghai Cafe and Mr. Leung was attending his grandfather’s 90th birthday. He offered her a ride, and the conversation continued as they bonded over shared interests like travel, architecture, and rom-coms. He was her first and last online match.
Ms. Ng, 35, is a public relations director at the Lede Company, overseeing global communications. In 2008, she moved from Vancouver, British Columbia, to attend N.Y.U., from which she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in media, culture, and communication.
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