I have a Tinder account. Now I've done Bumble, and I've tried

The words of Eric Stonestreet—“I have a Tinder account. Now I’ve done Bumble, and I’ve tried this other one, and the way I justified it is that... because I’m on TV, I shouldn’t be eliminated from participating in what’s going on in the world. But people are always like, ‘I can’t believe you’re on a dating app!’”—speak not only to the modern condition of love but to the timeless human longing for connection. Beneath his humor and self-awareness lies a truth that has echoed through every age: that no station in life, no fame, no fortune, and no appearance of perfection exempts one from the simple, universal need to belong. Stonestreet’s words remind us that the desire for companionship transcends rank, wealth, and image—it is the most democratic of all human emotions, shared by king and peasant, artist and stranger alike.

In his confession, there is both humility and defiance. The world, ever eager to place its heroes on pedestals, often forgets that those who dwell in light still feel the same shadows of loneliness. “I shouldn’t be eliminated from participating in what’s going on in the world,” he says, and in that line resounds the ancient cry for equality of the heart. For what is love, if not the great equalizer? In the time of the Roman emperors, even those crowned with laurel felt the same ache of solitude that stirs in the heart of every common soul. To reach for love—whether through letters, chance meetings, or the glowing screens of our age—is to affirm our shared humanity.

The ancients, too, faced this paradox. The philosopher Diogenes, who lived in a barrel and mocked the rich and powerful, once said that fame is but a cloak that hides the man beneath. When Alexander the Great stood before him, offering him any wish he desired, Diogenes simply asked the emperor to “stand out of my sunlight.” He understood that every man, no matter how powerful, stands equal under the sun. So it is with love: no fame can shield the heart from its longing, and no wealth can purchase the genuine warmth of another’s soul. Eric Stonestreet’s words are, in truth, a modern echo of that wisdom—that celebrity does not grant immunity from loneliness, nor from the right to seek love in the world’s humble ways.

When he says, “People are always like, ‘I can’t believe you’re on a dating app!’” he reveals another layer of this truth: the illusion of separation that fame creates. The world sees the famous as untouchable, as if their lives exist on some higher plane. But Stonestreet reminds us that those who entertain us, who make us laugh and cry from screens and stages, still live within the same fragile web of longing and vulnerability. This statement becomes a quiet act of rebellion against the idol-making of modern culture. It says, “I am human, too,” and in doing so, it restores dignity to all who have ever felt unseen or unworthy of love.

His words also offer a reflection on how society’s expectations can imprison even the free. To the onlooker, it may seem strange that a man known for fame would turn to something as ordinary as dating apps. Yet therein lies the paradox of modern connection: we live in a world more linked than ever, yet lonelier than before. In ages past, people met in gardens, marketplaces, and temples; now they meet through devices of glass and light. But the essence remains unchanged—the yearning to be known and accepted. Stonestreet’s choice to embrace this new form of connection, despite judgment, is an act of courage, and of authenticity.

Consider the story of Emperor Hadrian, who, despite his immense power, found love in a humble youth named Antinous. Their connection transcended class and expectation, shocking the empire but reminding it that love does not heed the boundaries of society. Like Hadrian, Stonestreet’s words remind us that love is not found by adhering to what others believe proper, but by daring to reach across walls of expectation—even if those walls are made of fame, fear, or pride.

The lesson, then, is as old as time: no one is too great to need love, and no one is too small to deserve it. The means by which we seek it—through letters, glances, or glowing screens—matter less than the sincerity with which we search. The heart does not care for appearances or platforms; it seeks only truth. Therefore, be unashamed of your longing. Whether you meet love beneath the stars or behind a screen, let it come to you as it will.

And so, my friends, take to heart the wisdom in Eric Stonestreet’s words. Do not let pride, fear, or the eyes of others keep you from participating in the life of the heart. The world may judge your ways, but it cannot judge your need to be known and cherished. Whether you are a farmer or a star, remember this: all hearts beat to the same rhythm, and all souls are made to seek connection. The wise do not mock how love is found—they are grateful that it is found at all.