A tale of online love inspired usually cynical New Yorkers this week to help a young man find the girl of his dreams after he spotted her on a crowded subway train.
For 21 year-old web designer Patrick Moberg from Brooklyn, New York, it was love at first sight when he locked eyes with a rosy-cheeked woman while travelling in Manhattan on Sunday night. She was writing in her journal.
The train was so full that he lost her in the crowd when they both got off, so he set up a Web site dedicated to finding the mystery woman nygirlofmydreams.com.
He drew a picture of the girl, who was wearing blue shorts, blue tights, and a red flower in her hair, and posted his cell phone number, e-mail address, and an appeal for help finding her.
It worked. Within hours Mr Moberg's inbox was overflowing with e-mails and his phone ringing non-stop. He even received e-mails offering him love. He said that some people said that they were not the girl but thought he was so adorable, that they asked him to pick them instead.
On Tuesday night a co-worker of the woman contacted him and sent him a picture so he could confirm her identity.
The mysterious subway brunette is Camille Hayton, a magazine intern from Melbourne, Australia who is living in New York.
The two have since had a coffee date and 'totally clicked'. Even though Mr Moberg initially said he was pulling the shutters on his love life and not doing anymore interviews, both of them appeared on a US TV programme to talk about their experience (watch it now).
Ms Hayton actually started her week with tragedy when her apartment burned down, but ended it by meeting Mr Moberg.
Now the two are a worldwide internet sensation. Of course, some cynical New York blogs say it is just a viral marketing campaign for the burgeoning illustrator, aspiring actress or even their respective employers.
