States of Love

From a flirty glance over coffee to sparks flying during a brainstorming session at the office, every love story starts somewhere special. And it’s not just a romantic notion — love is universal. In fact, 95% of Americans surveyed have been in a relationship, making the where and how of that first meeting a defining moment.

Whether it’s a serendipitous meet-cute or a perfectly planned intro by a friend, those first moments shape the journey ahead. We asked over 2,000 Americans to share how they met their partners and the influence they believe it had on their relationship to uncover exactly how swoon-worthy our nation is.

Where do most people find love?

Love often finds us in mysterious ways, but some places are more likely than others to spark romance. For over one in 10 Americans (14%), that special someone was introduced through a mutual friend — the most common way people meet their partners. It’s a timeless method rooted in shared interests and values, and let’s face it, often gives us a bit more confidence that the person we’re dating is compatible with us! Interestingly, this approach works particularly well for women, with 17% of those surveyed saying they met their partner this way compared to 10% of men. 

Yet, as life and technology evolve, so do our pathways to connection. The workplace, a well-known hub for unexpected relationships, remains the second most common setting for romance. Spending hours collaborating and problem-solving naturally fosters deeper connections — and for 13% of Americans, it’s led to lasting love. For men, the workplace actually takes the top spot, with 15% finding their partner there, a trend especially prominent among those 65 and older, who met their partners before dating apps reshaped the landscape.

Speaking of technology, social media and dating apps have truly revolutionized how we meet. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are now the third most common way to find love, with one in eight Americans meeting their current partner online. Younger generations are, naturally, leading the charge — one in five people aged 18-35 found their partner on social media, reflecting the growing role of digital spaces in relationships. Similarly, dating apps have carved out a significant role in modern matchmaking, particularly for those aged 25-34, where 13% have found love through a swipe.

Where you live may influence how meet your significant other

Every state has its own unique hotspots for romance, showing how where you live can shape where love might find you.

In Kansas, high school and college reign supreme as the most common places to meet a partner. Over a third (36%) of Kansans met their significant other while studying — a trend echoed in Wisconsin (25%), South Carolina (24%), and Illinois (17%). These high-school sweetheart romances often stand the test of time, with fewer people reporting school-founded connections when asked how they met their past partners. 

Meanwhile, in Nebraska, love thrives in nightlife. Imagine sitting at a bar, exchanging glances with a stranger across the room. In this state, those fleeting encounters often blossom into something more — one in three Nebraskans met their current partner at a bar, making it the only state where nightlife tops the list for romance. 

Workplace romances are common nationwide, but Connecticut takes it to another level, with a staggering 43% of people finding love at the office. Down in Louisiana, families seem to play Cupid more often than you’d think, with one in five people meeting a partner through relatives. However, for current relationships, this drops to just 7%, hinting that while mom or grandma’s matchmaking might kick things off, they don’t always lead to lasting love.

4 out of 5 people say the way they met influences their relationships, but how?

How you meet your partner might feel like a small detail, but for 82% of people, it significantly impacts their connection. Interestingly, men are more likely to feel this way than women — only 16% of men think it has no impact, compared to one fifth of women. Younger generations are even more invested in their “how we met” stories, with only 12% of people under 25 saying it has no influence, compared to 25% of those over 65.

For many, the setting of that first meeting sets the tone for deeper connections. Over a third of people (36%) believe their meeting story allowed them to connect naturally and spend more time together early on. This sentiment is strongest among those who met in organic settings — like at a wedding (50%), on vacation (50%), or even during a commute on public transportation (45%). Similarly, nearly half of those who met at school or college felt their natural beginnings helped foster that initial bond. 

Shared interests and values also play a crucial role. Nearly one third (31%) of people feel that the way they met helped establish a strong foundation for mutual compatibility. Men were slightly more likely to agree (34%) than women (29%). Not surprisingly, those who met through friends or at dating events — situations designed to emphasize compatibility — were more likely to feel this way.

For 31% of people, their meeting story becomes a defining element of their relationship. These stories add charm and meaning, strengthening the bond between partners. Vacation romances top the list, with 55% saying their unforgettable meeting story enhanced their connection. Close behind are romantic “meet-cutes” in cafés or restaurants (53%), where the setting itself often adds a magical quality to the beginning of a love story. 

Ultimately, our survey found that how you meet your partner isn’t just a fun anecdote to tell at a dinner party — it’s often the foundation of how the relationship unfolds, shaping the time spent together, shared values, and even the stories you carry forward.

Methodology

We surveyed 2,006 Americans on how they have met their current and previous partners, and now they believe this affects their relationship. Survey was conducted in January 2025.

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