A kindergarten teacher’s evening scroll through social media ended in more than just a laugh – it led her straight to matrimony.
Shahira Nuuralisa Abdullah, 29, was merely amused by a video she saw online and shared it on her page, expecting nothing more than a similar reaction from friends.
Instead, it caught the attention of the man behind the content, Mohamad Afif Ikmayahya, 30, who then reached out to her.
What began as a casual exchange of messages quickly revealed a shared sense of humour and an unexpected connection.
By the third day, to her surprise, he asked for her hand in marriage.
Three months later, they were engaged, and within a year, they were married.
The traditional days of formal courtship and arranged marriages, where choices were limited to immediate social circles and family introductions, are fading.
Today, technology offers another avenue for romance, expanding the way we meet, interact with others and form relationships.
People can find partners across state lines and cultural divides based on compatibility, rather than just proximity.
This Valentine’s Day, StarMetro speaks to several couples who found their “happily ever after” with a swipe or tap on their smartphone.
Destined for Kelantan
Mohamad Afif, who runs a men’s clothing business in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, loves to sing in his free time.
He regularly records himself singing in Kelantanese and uploads the videos to his page for fun.
When Shahira came across one of his posts in August 2024, he decided to reach out.
“My first thought was she was pretty!
“I DM-ed her for casual chat and instinctively asked if she was single. She said yes,” said Mohamad Afif.
He added that his confidence grew when he spotted a photo of her with his cousin’s wife, so he could find out more through family.
“I continued chatting with her to see if we clicked and we did,” he said.
Shahira said she felt a spark but admitted to initial doubts because he was moving very quickly.
“He had not met me in person and was already talking about marriage on the third day.
“His only condition was that I must be willing to move to Kelantan.
“The moment I agreed to move from Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur, everything started falling into place,” she said, adding that the couple only met physically a couple of times before their wedding in May last year.
Having mutual relatives helped to convince family members about the relationship’s authenticity.
Shahira said she spoke to her aunt, who married Mohamad Afif’s cousin, about their relationship.
“We got married with both our families’ blessings and now, I live in Kelantan and help my husband run his business.
“If anyone told me that my life would change that much in a year, I would not believe it.
“But I believe in fate and am happy with my life,” she said.
Love in the pandemic
For medical sales representatives Wong Shen Ni, 30, and Patrick Lee, 34, from Kuala Lumpur, the challenge was time.
Their demanding schedules made meeting people in the real world almost impossible.
Wong decided to try a dating application after seeing a friend find a partner online.
“The app is helpful because I can meet many potential partners at the same time and see who suits my personality best,” she said.
The pair matched in late 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic restricted movement worldwide.
“It was not possible to go on a proper date then.
“So our first date came after months of talking and texting over the phone, at a grocery store, where he asked me to be his girlfriend,” she said.
Lee said compatibility could often be sensed within the first few conversations.
He had matched with a few people and chatted with them, but felt most comfortable talking to Wong and wanted to meet her.
“The only way we could see each other face-to-face was by going grocery shopping together.
“In a way, that helped us learn about each other’s preferences,” Lee said.
The couple married in 2024 and are expecting their first child in May.
However, Lee cautioned users to stay vigilant.
“I once matched with a beautiful woman who seemed too good to be true.
“I’m an average-looking guy and her intense interest felt off.
“I was certain it was a scam and stopped responding,” he said.
That said, Lee believes there are many genuine people as well.
“My advice is to stay realistic and trust your instincts,” he added.
Introverted hearts connect
For some, dating apps offer a safety net.
Sub-editor Haikal Jauhari Johan Fernandez, 38, and his wife Nur Adlina Nabilah Rosdi, 28, from Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, found that digital platforms helped introverted individuals.
“It is good for people with similar interests to connect and see if they’re compatible, especially if you’re shy.
“Face to face, it takes more courage to start a conversation and rejection feels more painful.
“On the app, it’s easier to move on,” said Haikal.
However, he said dating apps also came with their own pressures.
“It’s a quick way to meet people, but everyone on the app may also be approached by others.
“So if you’re interested, you have to make your move fast,” he added.
Nur Adlina, who was never keen on office romances, filtered out the qualities she did not want.
“I’ve matched with other men in the past and learned what I don’t want in a partner,” she said.
She recalled a previous match who exhibited controlling behaviour on the first date.
“He asked me to delete the app the first time we met.
“It made me very uneasy,” she added.
Nur Adlina matched with Haikal in May 2024 and they began dating a few days later.
The couple tied the knot last month.
Finding shared values
For Royston Samuel Solomon Ganeswaran, 36, from Shah Alam, Selangor, online dating was a path towards rebuilding his life after losing his mother and his job and going through a heartbreak in 2018.
“My friends convinced me to try an app to meet new people,” he said, adding that was how he met his wife Reenisha Devi Ramachandran.
“The way she described herself in her dating profile was funny and witty,” said the operational excellence executive.
They bonded over shared responsibilities.
“We are both the eldest among our siblings.
“I have two younger brothers, while Reenisha has two younger sisters.
“After my parents passed away, I felt a strong responsibility to care for my siblings and that resonated with Reenisha,” he said.
He added that they both came from a close-knit family and valued those bonds deeply.
Reenisha, a finance assistant manager, 33, said she approached the app with an open mind but kept safety a priority.
“Royston was good looking and his corny self-description was funny too.
“I wanted to see if we had chemistry.
“My sister and cousins knew about my date from the start and I made sure we met in a public place,” she said, adding that she was glad she took a chance.
Reenisha shared that her father conducted background checks on Royston after she introduced him as her boyfriend.
Both had encountered unpleasant “dates” prior to this.
Reenisha recalled going on a date where the conversation gradually shifted to finances.
“He casually spoke about products to improve my finances and on the second date, he brought friends to get me in a multi-level marketing (MLM) business!
“People need to be clear about their intentions,” she said, adding that intuition also played an important role.
Royston had a similar encounter with a date who tried to pitch her MLM business.
“There were also women that ghosted after chatting.
“I would advise those using dating apps to keep the first date short, almost like a brief trial to see if there is a connection before deciding to take a longer second date to get to know each other better,” he said.
Despite the pitfalls, Royston and Reenisha, who married in 2022, agreed that the digital leap of faith was worth it.
