"I just knew that he was the one I was going to be with for the rest of my life."

Marcia and Thomas

Almost three years ago, I decided to sign up with Yahoo! Personals to meet new friends. After a week of no responses, I received a message from Tom. He was funny, and that grabbed my attention immediately. We talked on Instant Messenger for about two weeks and then moved to the phone for a month.

We could have met right away because, ironically, he lived one street away from me. But I was really hesitant about meeting. One night I finally got up the courage and told him that I was ready to meet. It was with the agreement that I could bring my roommate along. He was comfortable with that, and that made me more comfortable too.

Late for an important date

We met on a cold December night in downtown Orlando. They were having a "Light Up Orlando" Christmas Festival at the time. It was the perfect setting for a first date! We were supposed to meet at the Wall Street Cantina at 5 p.m., but my roommate got off work late. I tried calling Tom at home multiple times, but he had already left. I was soooo worried that he was going to be gone by the time we got there. Luckily, after waiting 45 minutes, there he was standing there!

I knew it was him the moment I saw him, and I just knew that he was the one I was going to be with for the rest of my life. My roommate had asked me how I would know it was him. I told her, "If it's meant to be, I'll know it's him when I see him." I looked up and pointed, "There he is."

I walked right up to him and gave him a huge hug. Of course, he gave me a little razzing about being late. Believe me, there hasn't been a day where I haven't heard something (jokingly) about me being late to our first date. He even wrote me a note on our wedding day to remind me of the time. He probably would have used it in our vows if I let him.

A beach wedding

Within an hour of returning home that night, Tom and I met online once again. We planned to have our second date the next day! We have been together every day since.

Two years after dating, Tom took me to the Wall Street Cantina for dinner and proposed. We celebrated our marriage on August 5, 2006, on St. Pete Beach in Florida. We had a beautiful beach wedding with all of our family and friends. It was definitely a dream come true.

I am soooo happy I took the risk of signing up with Yahoo! Personals. Otherwise, I may not have found the man of my dreams!

Success tips from Marcia:

• Be safe and take things slowly.
• Always post a picture and be truthful in your profile. Don't be afraid to be the "real" you.
• First date: We went to a Christmas "block party" in downtown Orlando, Florida.

Do you have a love story to share? Let us know!

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