A man who matched with a convicted criminal on Tinder went on to marry him after the pair fell in love under house arrest.
On Mekahel met Dave Cederberg when he was on parole in 2018 and the pair have not slept apart ever since.
The model is now sharing his extraordinary romance to encourage singletons to not judge potential partners for their past.
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Speaking exclusively with the Daily Star, the 29-year-old said: “When I met Dave online, he was in the custody of the parole program following a drug felony. At the height of his business, he was moving roughly 60 pounds of marijuana per week.
“I was shocked when he told me but I realised not all love stories are traditional and our first date was at his apartment under house arrest.”
(Image: instagram.com/iamonmekahel)
The lovers are now based in Los Angeles and have plans to start a family one day.
But it was heartbreak that first pushed On towards Tinder after a devastating breakup.
At the time he had just filmed his own reality TV series – and he was on the dating app with the intention of having fun rather than finding the one.
However, when he matched with Dave, he was immediately intrigued.
“Obviously it was his appearance, he is very muscular,” he laughed. “But then I discovered he was not at all self-centred like so many good looking men are.
(Image: instagram.com/iamonmekahel)
“He was the man I always wanted to find and after that I was attracted to his heart.”
Former drug dealer Dave was honest about his troubled situation from the outset.
On, who is originally from Israel, recalled: “He told me about his past right away and when we planned to meet up he said he was on parole.
“I didn’t know what the word parole meant as English is my second language and that’s not a word that pops up a lot.
“I didn’t really think twice about it and on the way there I figured out what it meant and on that first date we talked about everything.”
(Image: instagram.com/iamonmekahel)
He added: “Honestly I was never tempted not to give Dave a chance. People make mistakes and grow from it and everyone deserves a second chance.
“Also, it was only weed. It really just wasn’t an issue for me. He was the best person I’ve ever met and the kindest.”
On spent $80 (around £70) on an Uber to visit Dave for their first date – and they ordered Greek food with friends.
They talked until they fell asleep and have been inseparable ever since.
However, because of the stigmas attached to former criminals, On was initially reluctant to open up his loved ones.
He said: “It wasn’t easy telling my family about Dave’s past and I didn’t say anything at the beginning.
(Image: instagram.com/iamonmekahel)
“I was waiting for them to fall in love with him first. Also, the world’s view of weed was shifting so it wasn’t as hard of a story to tell as it seemed at first.”
Dave, 36, had only recently left prison when the relationship began – and he described being grateful at being given an opportunity for love to blossom.
On, a fashion designer with his own underwear range and two million Instagram followers, now hopes their connection can inspire other people.
He said: “I hope it helps people to follow their hearts and give people the chance to define themselves in the present before we use the stories of their past to judge them.
“And to also open your mind and heart to different possibilities. I’m the most judgemental person in the world sometimes but I’m learning and growing and I enjoy life much more when I take a moment to look beyond the surfaces in that way.”