I’ve been remarried for almost 3 years now.
We sometimes tell people we met in Walmart (not exactly sure how that’s “better”), but in reality, we are an online dating success story. I met Ana on match.com.
I can’t remember who initiated the conversation, but I do remember that her profile name was something like “latinmommy”, and was all about her and her kids (now my step-kids; Johnathan and Jasmine). Ana say that her sister actually made the profile for her … she obviously did a good job. Which ever one of us it was who “winked” at the other first, eventually it was mutual, and we started chatting … first by email, then more “real time” on yahoo, and on the phone.
Finally on the morning of the 4th of July, I happened to catch Ana on yahoo chat. We talked for a few minutes, then she said she had to get offline, so she could go shopping for school supplies at Walmart. Since two of my kids (Justin and Jordan) had come to live with me that summer, I also needed school supplies, so offered to meet her there …
We got all the school stuff, and I picked up a tv for the kids room. During the hour or so we were there, we had a nice conversation, and Ana (unintentionally on my part) got to see my scatter brained side. When I paid for the TV with my debit card, in the electronics department, I asked for $40 cash back … and then promptly walked away without the money! Fortunately, I discovered it in the parking lot, and had time to run back in. The poor cashier had to count her drawer and check it against the printout, but eventually I got my money; and Ana got a good laugh at my expense (the first of many times to come).
A few minutes later, I got a phone call from Justin. His mom had called wanting to talk to Jordan. The one little problem … Jordan had gone outside to play, and Justin wasn’t sure exactly where she was … I needed to get home ASAP.
Before I left, I did a very smart thing …
During our conversation, Ana had told me that her kids would be spending the evening with her dad, so she didn’t know what she was doing that night. Well, since I lived just a 10 minute walk from the beach, and had a great view of 3 different fireworks displays, I decided to invite her to come watch the show with us. (I was just being nice)
I won’t bore you with the rest of the details. The long story short version … at the end of the evening, I walked her to her car; we kissed; saw fireworks of our own; got married about 6 months later. My 3 kids, her 2, and when Jaiden was born in August 2008 … that’s the way we all became the Brady Bunch … (come on everyone sing along)
Seriously though, so that this isn’t just a story about me, there is a Todd’s Tip here …
Should you find yourself single, online dating really isn’t a bad thing. Sure there are some weirdos and freaks out there. But, for the most part there are also a whole bunch of nice normal people, who are looking to connect with other nice normal people. Don’t be scared, take a chance !
Til next time …
Todd
I have heard that way more people are meeting online successfully than ever before. (Insert here’s your sign here) Obviously more people are comfortable with the Internet now than ever before, but non-the-less I have known a few of my friends that met online and have had successful relationships out of the endeavor.
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Hey Josh,
Yea, my wife and I used to joke about it. Even as recently as a couple of years ago, many people were still a bit embarrassed to admit to online dating.
You know, if you have to resort to the computer, you’re likely to only meet people who are “desperate”, or “ugly”, or “weird” … or even worse, people might think you are one of those.
Once I started to really think about it though, I realize that hey, I’m pretty much a nice, normal guy … I bet there are others like me who signed up on dating sites too … and I was right
Congratulations!!! I was stationed with you in Korea (2005 time frame). I was thinking about candle companies today. I ended up on someone’s Mia Bella site, and something clicked in my head reminding me of you and your candles. I did a Google search and ended up here. I’m still doing research to see if there’s a company that is a good fit for me. I’m mainly interested in a discount for myself versus actively selling to anyone else. Anyway I’m glad to read that you are happy, so congratulations to you again…and a baby too. I have an 11 month old myself. Huge congratulations to you and your family.
wow!!!! i also did meet my wife on chat room. enjoy now,,,,,,,
Good for you.
Really it doesn’t matter where you meet someone, just that you do!