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
