“Bowling, laughter and lots of talking”
"When I created my profile after getting over a previous relationship, I was
totally unaware of what the man upstairs had in store for me. On Feb. 2, 2004
I received an Icebreaker from a young gentleman saying that he liked my smile.
After reading his profile, I replied with an Icebreaker as well. We conversed
via email for several days and graduated to chatting on Yahoo! Messenger before
exchanging telephone numbers on Feb. 13. We decided to meet on the following
Sunday at a restaurant. After dinner we followed up with a game of bowling,
laughter and lots of talking. Now, my Internet sweetheart and I are getting
married on Nov. 26. He is the most wonderful, sweet, caring, intelligent, thoughtful
and loving man that I could have ever prayed for in a million years. We are
looking forward to our wedding and many years of marital bliss to follow." --
Monica, 27, Alexandria, Va.
Tip: Always let someone know where you are going and give them any and all
information about the person you are planning meet.
Tip: Be patient. Don't expect the first person you chat with to become
your spouse.
"I found the courage to say, 'I deserve more.'"
"After 3-1/2 years in an unhealthy relationship I found the courage to say, "I deserve more." A profile on Yahoo! Personals is free and the subscription is inexpensive, so I joined immediately. During one of my lonely, late-night searches I stumbled across a handsome Ph.D. student who knew exactly what he wanted. He seemed like fun, too. We traded emails for a few weeks. An initial meeting made us both want to get to know each other more. After a few formal dates we decided to become a couple. We're so happy, it's amazing! We're still both shocked to have found each other online. We foresee a beautiful future together." -- Tate B., 23, Orlando, Fla.
Tip: Don't pigeonhole yourself by thinking online dating is only for "weird" people. It's the new form of dating, so take advantage of it!
Tip: Make your profile distinct by expressing your true self.
Tip: State what your objective is -- friends with benefits, casual dating, future spouse.
"Within three weeks we had determined that we were a perfect match!"
"Although my profile said I was looking for my "soul mate" I never really expected
to find her. After a year and a half of being a member, I found Rhonda (Giver / Romantic)
did find her. Both of us never thought we would find true love again and neither
wanted a relationship that would lead to marriage. After just a couple of dates
we both knew that it was our destiny to be together for life! Our first date
in October 2004 was a romantic dinner. Within three weeks we had determined
that we were a perfect match! Now we are busy making February 2005 wedding plans.
We are taking a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean and will be getting married
in St. Thomas. Our families said we were rushing things way too fast, however
now they have seen us together they agree that we definitely do compliment each
other and make a wonderful couple!" -- Mark S., 50, Jacksonville, Fla. (Giver / Passionate)
Tip: Be honest and patient.
Tip: Be specific in your profile about the type of person you're looking for.
Tip: Provide recent photo.
"Someone who was exactly what I was looking for!"
"After being separated for four years, I decided it was time to get back to
dating. My youngest was 17 and the others had moved out. My son encouraged me
to try online personals. I filled out a profile and my sister took the pictures.
After two weeks I got an IM from another member. It was my first. We talked
every night amid other conversations. Slowly we stopped talking to other people
altogether. I was unsure whether we should meet face to face but we did after
three months of talking online and by phone. I deleted my profile the same week
we met. It is now a year later and we still can't believe we're together. Every
day feels like that first meeting. I never knew there really could be someone
who was exactly what I was looking for! To this day when we can't see each other,
we go online to chat. Then we phone. On nights we do see each other we end the
night online." -- Cheryl C., 43, Philadelphia, Pa.
Tip: Be patient.
Tip: Talk to anyone who wants to talk to you.
Tip: Check your personals mailbox daily.
Tip: Don't judge people by their pictures.
"I knew this could be something special."
"Jen did not respond to my interest in her in what could be called, "a timely
fashion" so I thought she wasn't interested. If fact, her subscription
had expired and she did not know I contacted her. When she finally responded,
she "took a chance" and agreed to meet with me. I drove the one-hour
plus it takes to reach Colorado Springs (I live in Denver), and we met at Carrabba's.
When I saw her, my first thought was this couldn't be the same woman I saw in
the photos in her profile. She was much more beautiful in person, and I immediately
felt more than just a physical attraction. She gave me an introductory hug,
and my heartbeat started to race -- something that hadn't happened in a very
long time. We enjoyed dinner and talked until the restaurant closed (the employee's
were all waiting on us). We hugged again as we said goodnight. I knew this could
be something special. It's been five months now, and we're in the initial process
of building a new home, with the plans on getting married and having a family
of our own. None of this would have happened, had we both not taken the chance
by becoming users of the Yahoo! Personals." -- Brian C., 41, Denver, Colo.
Tip: Honesty. Be true to yourself, so that you can be true to those you contact through Yahoo! Personals.
Tip: Be selective about the number of people you contact. Don't send out numerous messages to various people simply trying to get responses. Use the profile of the person as a guide and determine if you share enough of the same interests to make contacting that person worthwhile.
"I had huge reservations about online dating."
To be honest, I had huge reservations about online dating. I assumed it was
a forum for the desperate and/or perverted to hook up with other losers. Looking
for a bar alternative and with the encouragement of a friend, I decided to peruse
the male profiles. I loved the fact that I could subscribe but didn't have to
post my own profile for general consumption. I could send mine, but only to
the people I chose to send it to. After a few dates with some very nice men,
I met, "Joe: wickedly smart and equally handsome." About two hours after our
first coffee, he called and asked me out for dinner that evening. A week or
so later, on his 38th birthday, he (finally) smooched me and I knew, "I was
so hooked." Our relationship began in March '04. Since then, we've purchased
a house (big enough to accommodate his kids and mine) and are engaged. We plan
to marry in February of this year. -- Heather B., 37, Carmel, Ind.
Tip: Get over your preconceived ideas about online dating.
Tip: Be yourself. Don't be afraid to show your human side,
flaws and all. Show the unique parts that differentiate you from everyone else.
And for sure, stop talking about cuddling and long walks on the beach.
"I was amazed at the responses I received."
"I have four children and had just gone through my second divorce. At this point
I really felt that something was wrong with me and that I had made too many
regretful decisions. I decided I just wanted a companion, someone to share dinners,
movies, walks, etc. I was adamant about not getting married again. My children
were my focus and I didn't want to bring different men in and out of their lives.
After two messy divorces, I didn't want another marriage. I joined Yahoo! Personals
on a dare from my co-workers who felt that I need a husband -- Not! I was amazed
at the responses I received and decided to go ahead with it. I met a lot of
guys and had a few short relationships -- never involving my kids or family.
I just wanted a friend. After many disappointments there was one last guy I
decided to go out with. We had talked online for several months, but I was becoming
discouraged with dating. He was pleasantly persistent so I decided to meet him
for dinner. I arrived early and almost decided to leave. I was thinking that
this probably wouldn't work out either. Well, I stayed and we have been inseparable
ever since. After a year we decided to introduce our families and are planning
a wedding. He is the most wonderful man I have ever met! He is the man of my
dreams. Now, after bad decisions, I feel I have made the best decision of my
life. He is extraordinary. Just to think, if I had left that night, I would
have missed out on the best thing to ever come into my life." -- Gina
V., 40, Darien, Ill.
Tip: Be prepared for the bumps and bruises, however don't get discouraged. There is someone for everyone.
Tip: Talk to many people, get to know them through email first.
Do you have a love story to share? Let us know!
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