Tina Marie Survilla Lindell and Cesar Alejandro Kuriyama’s relationship began uniquely, with what Ms. Survilla Lindell affectionately refers to as a “tweet cute,” showcasing the power of social media in modern romance.
In March 2020, the Speakeasy-style bar and event space Caveat, located on Manhattan’s vibrant Lower East Side, announced its temporary closure due to the pandemic. A regular patron, Ms. Survilla Lindell tweeted a heartfelt message of support for the establishment. Her message caught the attention of Mr. Kuriyama, another enthusiastic patron of Caveat.
As they began following each other on Twitter, which is now rebranded as X, Mr. Kuriyama expressed an interest in bird watching, a beloved pastime that Ms. Survilla Lindell often shared about on her social media. To her delight, she discovered that Mr. Kuriyama was the innovative mind behind 1 Second Everyday, an app that allows users to capture and compile one second of video each day, creating a unique time capsule of memories. Ms. Survilla Lindell had been utilizing the app for a year to document her experiences living in New York City.
“It was one of my favorite apps,” reflected Ms. Survilla Lindell, 35. “I like to believe that he was making my life better even before we met.”
Many months later, as time passed and the world continued to navigate the effects of the pandemic, they discovered that they were both single. Their conversations deepened through direct messages on social media, often extending into the late hours as they exchanged personal stories and interests. Mr. Kuriyama, armed with a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics from Pratt Institute, enthusiastically shared his fascination with the concept of time—an inspiration behind his app.
Ms. Survilla Lindell eagerly discussed her passion for science fiction and space. She amusedly revealed another quirky detail: that she had never tried a Burger King Whopper. Seizing the opportunity, Mr. Kuriyama suggested they have a Whopper together and offered to be present to film her reaction for that day’s “one second” video.
“I’m really shy and not one to easily ask someone out,” confessed Mr. Kuriyama, 43. “I snuck in the ‘we should have a Whopper together’ as a pseudo first-date attempt.”
On Jan. 18, 2021, amidst the peak of the pandemic and nearly a year after their online connection, Ms. Survilla Lindell and Mr. Kuriyama met face-to-face.
“I like to say that Cesar and I met at the end of the world,” Ms. Survilla Lindell remarked. “New York City was a ghost town.” Both arrived for their first meeting having received their Covid vaccinations earlier that month, with Ms. Survilla Lindell working as a certified ophthalmic assistant in health care and Mr. Kuriyama caring for his elderly parents in New Jersey.
The initial meeting took place outside her office on the Upper East Side, where an icy chill in the air contrasted with the warmth of their immediate connection.
“He had the biggest smile on his face,” Ms. Survilla Lindell recalled fondly. “He picked me up in his arms and hugged me so tightly that my feet were dangling. I remember thinking: ‘I’m done for.’”
The couple attempted to stroll through Central Park, but it proved too cold for comfort. Instead, Mr. Kuriyama drove them to a Burger King in Queens, where he eagerly captured a video of Ms. Survilla Lindell enjoying her first taste of a Whopper.
“It was just like I envisioned,” he said with satisfaction.
Later that evening, they enjoyed a cozy dinner outside a restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. At the end of their memorable first date, Mr. Kuriyama captured a photograph to commemorate the occasion, realizing then that he had found the person he had been searching for his entire life.
During the early stages of their relationship, Mr. Kuriyama actively encouraged Ms. Survilla Lindell, who holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of Nebraska Omaha, to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an art writer and curator. By August 2021, she made the significant decision to leave her job in health care and now serves as a creative marketing manager at HUG, a global networking community for artists and art enthusiasts.
In July 2023, Mr. Kuriyama proposed to Ms. Survilla Lindell with a beautifully orchestrated surprise engagement party at Caveat, which had reopened its doors in 2021, flanked by guests that included Ms. Survilla Lindell’s two sisters, one of whom had traveled all the way from Germany for the celebration.
“Surprises are really important to me,” she admitted. “On that first date, Cesar told me: ‘Surprises are the only gift you can’t give yourself.’”
The couple now resides in Cliffside Park, N.J., where they exchanged vows on October 24 at Mountain Creek Waterpark in Vernon, N.J. Guests experienced a unique ride, taking a gondola to a hilltop venue that Ms. Survilla Lindell described as meant to symbolize an “ascent into space.” The ceremony was officiated by Aaron Rasmussen, a friend of the couple who humorously donned a NASA replica spacesuit complete with a helmet.
They affectionately titled their wedding “Adventures in Spacetime,” adopting witty aliases: Space Girl Tina and Timehacker Cesar. Mr. Kuriyama wore a striking red velvet tuxedo, while the bride dazzled in a custom white gown adorned with shimmering silver glitter. Ms. Survilla Lindell’s wedding ring features a unique salt and pepper diamond, symbolizing the moon, surrounded by other stones—sapphire, garnet, topaz, and tourmaline—representative of the solar system’s planets.
“The future with Cesar looks a lot like the past several years with Cesar,” Ms. Survilla Lindell declared. “We both love art and nerdy things: science fiction and space, and chasing whatever fun thing is around the corner.”
The post Two Bar Patrons Step Into a Twitter Feed appeared first on New York Times.
**Interview with Tina Survilla Lindell and Cesar Kuriyama: Love in the Time of a Pandemic**
**Interviewer:** Today, we’re speaking with Tina Survilla Lindell and Cesar Kuriyama, who found love amidst the challenges of the pandemic. Welcome, both! Let’s start with you, Tina. Can you share a bit about what drew you to Cesar initially?
**Tina:** Thank you for having us! Honestly, it was his tweets. I saw him sharing thoughts about our favorite bar, Caveat, and then discovered his passion for bird watching. When I found out he created the 1 Second Everyday app, I felt an instant connection. I had been using his app to document my life, and it felt like he was part of my world even before we met.
**Interviewer:** That’s such a unique start! Cesar, how did you feel when you first connected with Tina?
**Cesar:** It was exciting! I admired Tina’s creativity and her genuine support for Caveat. When I learned about her love for science fiction and her quirky confession about never trying a Whopper, I saw an opportunity to connect. Inviting her to share that Whopper with me seemed like a fun, low-pressure way to ask her out—I was actually really shy about it!
**Interviewer:** And your first meeting took place in a ghost town New York City during the pandemic. Tina, can you describe that moment?
**Tina:** It was surreal. We met outside my office after both getting vaccinated. The city felt eerie, but Cesar’s warm smile and tight hug made everything feel right. I remember thinking, “I’m done for,” because it felt like we’d known each other forever, despite only just meeting.
**Interviewer:** So sweet! After your first date at Burger King, how did your relationship evolve?
**Cesar:** We would have long conversations late into the night, exploring each other’s interests and passions. Tina moved away from her health care career to pursue art writing, which was a huge step for her—she’s incredibly talented. I always encouraged her to follow her dreams, and I’m so proud of everything she’s accomplished.
**Interviewer:** That’s beautiful support. Tina, what does Cesar mean to you as a partner?
**Tina:** He’s my biggest cheerleader and also my best friend. He inspires me every day to chase my passions. His ability to capture moments, not just through his app but in our lives together, shows how much he values our journey.
**Interviewer:** You two recently got engaged, correct? Can you tell us about that moment?
**Cesar:** Yes! I planned a surprise proposal in July 2023. It was a culmination of our journey together, and I wanted it to be special. When I got down on one knee and saw the joy on her face, it was priceless.
**Tina:** I was completely taken by surprise! It felt like the perfect moment that truly captured what we’ve built together, even during such uncertain times.
**Interviewer:** What an inspiring story of love and determination! Thank you both for sharing your journey with us, and congratulations on your engagement!
**Both:** Thank you! We’re excited for what’s ahead.
