- David Frazier recounted on TikTok the moment he was hit on in a grocery store parking lot.
- Weeks later, Tifanie Mayberry caught wind of the viral storytime about her.
A viral missed connection in a Portland parking lot has spawned an endearing real-life friendship for two strangers who found their way back to one another thanks to TikTok.
In late November, walking back to his car from the local grocery store New Seasons, David Frazier said on TikTok that he was "floored" when a stranger — who would turn out to be Tifanie Mayberry — rolled down her car window and told him he was handsome, and asked if he was single. He recapped the moment in a viral TikTok that has now accrued 3.4 million views.
Frazier told viewers he responded at the time that he was single but "very gay." Nevertheless, he thanked Mayberry for the kind gesture. Then, questioning whether he'd been effusive enough, he took to TikTok, putting a call out into the void to express how much the moment had meant to him.
Mayberry told Business Insider on Thursday that it was Frazier's "stature" that first caught her eye.
"He was just — like his stature, his piercings, the way he carried himself, everything — my whole package," Mayberry said.
@wowrealneat Dear New Seasons Parking Lot Girl, you’re so cool and ily ❤️ #fyp #portland #parkinglot #xoxo
♬ One More Light - Linkin Park
On TikTok, Frazier said her compliment absolutely melted him, and he wanted to reconnect with her IRL.
"I need you to know that you absolutely made my evening," he said, applauding how gutsy she'd been to approach him. "I had this stupid fucking grin on my face for the rest of my night."
He concluded by inviting her for a "friend coffee."
Weeks later, on December 29, Mayberry shared a video on her own TikTok account, silently reacting to Frazier's video, netting 11.5 million views. In a follow-up clip, she said that at age 35 and desiring a family, she wasn't shy about approaching romantic prospects.
Mayberry told BI she learned of Frazier's video because she'd posted about the interaction to her Instagram Stories in November, right after the run-in. More than a month later, one of her followers who'd come across Frazier's video direct-messaged her, sensing they'd both been talking about the same incident.
@tifaniemayberry Well its been a very funny ending to 2023, and I have to say it ended things on such a great note for me ❤️✨ Thanks TikTok!! @David - Coffee in the New Year?!
♬ Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez
Mayberry remembers sitting in her car and watching Frazier's video for the first time while "freaking out" and "crying," she told BI. She decided then and there to film her reaction. "I wanted him to see how special it was to me," she said.
Mayberry, who works as a life coach and Uber driver (and who also happens to be the sister of "The Hills" star Justin "Bobby" Brescia) said in a more recent TikTok that she has "deep appreciation for the love that has transpired from this sweet little moment," adding it has all the makings of "the best bestie origin story I could imagine."
On New Year's Eve, she confirmed she and Frazier were in touch, though holiday travel and work had made it tricky for them to meet. She told BI they've been texting and are eyeing a coffee date next week.
Frazier and Mayberry both said the run-in occurred during tough times in their personal lives. Mayberry told BI the connection was "revitalizing," and she hoped to show others the good that can come from putting yourself out there.
"I would say for the people who this resonated with, I want them to see this as a reflection of what they're wanting for themselves and to just go get it," she said.
Frazier did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment.