Dating is not getting any easier these days, even with the plethora of dating apps available. With one in ten couples reporting they met their significant other on dating apps, the statistics for success aren't great.
Which is why a TikTok challenge went viral among women who decided to ditch dating apps and try to meet their future partner "in the wild"–specifically at Home Depot. (The trend allegedly began in 2021.)The reason? With the goal to connect with hard-working, handy, self-sufficient men. And it's a dating strategy that *actually* worked for TikToker Katelyn Ansari (@katelynnansari).
In October 2024, she shared her experience on TikTok about hitting the home improvement store in hopes of connecting with a man in real-life–and it was the beginning of a beautiful love story for her and boyfriend Tryce Easter. Ansari documented her entire outing, where she asked a man she found cute (Easter) for help on what to purchase to hang a large picture. (Spoiler: she didn't actually have a picture to hang.)
@katelynnansari Got off the dating apps to find me a blue collar man at Home Depot 😬😬😬 #bluecollarboys #datingtips #datingadviceforwomen #datingapps #HomeDepot #singlelife
In the video, Easter picks out exactly what she should purchase to hang her art, explaining why she needs each item. At the end of the video, Ansari writes that it was the "best $13 she ever spent".
Ansari shared more details about what happened that fateful day at Home Depot in an Instagram post. "Tryce was so nervous about our encounter he gave me my items and started walking away," she wrote. "At that point I thought; maybe he’s married or maybe he’s not interested. Then seconds later, he turns around to ask for my number."
Ansari added that the couple texted for a few days before going on their first date. "He brought me flowers, took me to a nice steak dinner, and we found out we both have a love for dancing and renovating houses. Sometimes the timing is everything ✨."
She also spilled more details about their first date with PEOPLE. "I truly didn't think it would work,” she said. “I've been single for about two years and casually dated here and there, but legitimately every man I met on Bumble or Hinge was a no-go.”
After deciding she wanted an "old-fashioned organic type of love" and a "hard working man", she was willing to try looking at Home Depot. Although she had not had much success dating in recent years, she didn't want to lower her standards. "I actually told myself ‘If he doesn’t bring me flowers [on the first date], he’s not it,’ because it’s a lost token of love to bring flowers on a date. Sure enough, he showed up with a cowboy hat, nice jeans, a button-up and flowers."
And ever since that first date, the couple has been together. Ansari has continued to share videos of the couple on her TikTok page, spending time together at home, tearing up the dance floor together, and yes–more trips to Home Depot. The couple found themselves back where it all began in December 2024. "@Tryce Easter and I came to @The Home Depot to fix my water heater," she wrote in the video's caption.
@katelynnansari Welllll somehow I messed up the last video and it had no sound so here we are round 2! @Tryce Easter and I came to @The Home Depot to fix my water heater. Any guesses on what we did today?? Promise I’ll tell the besties soon ✨ #homedepot #homeimprovement #homerenovation #relationshipgoals #texascheck #boyfriendcheck
This love story is one for the books. She also told PEOPLE, "It felt like a modern-day fairytale. He’s made me start believing in love and romance again."
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