A couple of weeks ago, the internet was buzzing over the story of the two Kent State University students who kept a 3-year long “epic joke” running after connecting on Tinder and never actually meeting up, despite being mere miles away from each other. 22-year-old Josh Avsec and 21-year-old Michelle Arendas started messaging on the online dating app in September of 2014. Josh tweeted a screenshot of one of their conversations, which spanned the course of a few months on Twitter and the story went viral.
Good Morning America ran with the story and arranged for the couple to finally meet face-to-face a few weeks ago and Tinder ponied up to send them on a first date in the location of their choosing. The pair chose Maui and finally made good on their decision this past week. And, again, GMA was there to chronicle the awkwardness.
The show’s cameras followed the students on their epic “first date” at Maui’s Grand Wailea resort. Josh and Michelle were game, posing for plenty of photo op moments, including throwing coins into a lucky fountain, riding bikes around the resort and enjoying some tropical drinks by the pool.
In a statement released by US Magazine, the couple said, “We’ve had the most incredible weekend ever and can’t thank Tinder and Grand Wailea enough. We are excited to get back to Cleveland and continue to learn more about one another.” But, the GMA segment that aired on Monday tells a slightly different story.
When interviewed about what they thought about each other, Michelle noted that Josh was “always excited, always energetic” – and it really doesn’t seem like those are the qualities she’s looking for in a guy. To his credit, Josh did look incredibly happy to be there. And, as GMA was clear to point out, the two stayed in separate rooms during their Hawaiian jaunt. As for a second date, Michelle said there were no “concrete plans” and while Josh asserted, “We’re going to want to meet up again”, Michelle said the less definite, “I’m sure our paths will cross.” Whoops. Sounds like we’re not on the same page here. I think Josh just got relegated to the “friend zone.”
The GMA crew didn’t seem overly optimistic about the future prospects for this couple and neither am I. It was a cute story though. And, hey, they’re young and they got a free trip to Hawaii as well as their 15 minutes of fame. Cupid still has plenty of time to find them their other halves.
Photos: Good Morning America/YouTube
I think he’s adorable.
I wish someone would pay for me to go to Hawaii
He is. I saw the first video when they met on GMA and he struck me as a little overeager. I found it endearing but knowing how young people today seem to prefer a more chill affect, I could see why it might be a turn off.
He seems cute. Did she just complain that he is TOO CHEERFUL? That’s kinda like saying he’s too honest or too thoughtful! There are some relentlessly active people, but being excited and energetic in HAWAII doesn’t sound so bad!
“Too cheerful” is probably a euphemism for exhausting. My best friend is a relentlessly sunny energetic person (which is probably partly her ADHD) and as much as I love her I had to learn to mentally block her out sometimes.
My personality could only handle someone who’s like that for so long. It’s like Hiddles, it’s endearing for awhile and then you want to shoot them with a tranquilizer dart.
Seriously. Who does she think she is
Oh! My teeth are aching from the sweetness!
Are we really supposed to believe this is real and not a PR stunt?
I mean the trip was a PR stunt however I think the initial thing was real. If not that’s a lot of work to put out over the course of three years
I’m pretty sure this is real! They live literally 10 mins away from me. Why would they choose 2 young adults from KENT STATE in Ohio for a stunt?
Because its Kent State Ohio. It lends it an air of innocence but keeps it relatable to both metropolitan and rural viewers
Maybe I’m extra cynical today, but I side-eye anything that goes viral on Twitter. I maybe could buy that the retweets started as real and organic, but Twitter desperately needs help and reminding non-twitter people it’s stil out there, both for use as a promotion platform and investment.
Oh, hmm, hadn’t thought of that. Your take sort of reminds me of the IG guy gushing over his curvy wife. People say he was angling for sponsorship…people had very strong opinions…the whole thing probably hasn’t been bad for IG.
I get that. The IG guy was posting things before to “go viral” and “inspirational messages” all while being a vile person on Twitter.
However the looks from these two doesn’t point to any previous viral attempts so I think this is legit.
Twitter is pretty quick with the receipts so we would’ve heard something now.
They look like brother and sister….
They really really do.
Virtually identical. Creepy.
Exactly what I thought! And considering that they’re apparently from the same vicinity, I seriously wonder if they could be siblings who don’t know about each other because one of them was the product of an extra-marital affair or something. Stunning likeness — they could be fraternal twins.
Good-looking couple but they also look like they are fraternal twins. I have a feeling Michelle is looking for a bad boy, rugged type. Josh is too adorable. He is a human form Golden Retriever puppy.
They didn’t wait three years to meet ffs. They had other stuff to do and couldn’t be bothered. Cringeworthy, imo.
He’s super cute. I’d date him!
She’s so not into it or am I blind? Since the beginning of this whole stunt she was very reluctant and kinda take it or leave it and I think she just went along for the free holiday. He on the other hand looks ready to pop the question lolol
The guy is adorable.
I think the REAL story is that they met on Twitter and didn’t just Netflix and chill.
He is way better looking than her. Weird.
She is … Not good looking. And her personality seems annoying. I rarely say this but he can do better!
They kinda look alike, no?
The phrase friend zone is o sexist. God forbid a guy be friends with a girl, what’s the point of that right? No point in being around a woman unless you’re sleeping with her right?
The guy obviously had overtures of wanting to be more than friends, and appears she has different ideas. So the phrase seems not at all out of line in this context. Using it here doesn’t imply that all guys expect their relationships with women to be more than friends.
I agree the phrase may be used in sexist contexts but it’s not intrinsically sexist. The sexist context is assuming all interactions with women are with the intent to be more than friends and you are by default in the running with anyone until you are “friend zoned”.
Gosh, he seems really nice and tried to look at her inner beauty. She seems like she feels she can do better. I wonder if that’s really true. I kind of think not. This interview unfortunately did not highlight whatever inner beauty she may have. until maybe that’s all I’m seeing.