Tomorrow marks the end of my six month subscription for Match.com. I reluctantly joined the site a week after I moved up to CT from GA and two weeks after the infamous Wake Up Break Up. While it took some convincing from both my guy and girl friends, I made a profile and paid the $80-something dollars for a six month membership.
Overall, I've actually had a lot of fun with it! Creating my profile was an interesting process. It's kind of neat to take the time to actually think about who I am, what I enjoy doing, and what kind of guy I'd like to date. I think I did a fairly good job on my profile if I do say so myself. One tip I have for anyone interested in online dating is to remember to write your profile for the opposite sex (especially you, ladies!). I've seen some straight up weird profiles. Now I'm not saying one should lie at all, but be smart about what you post. Guys don't care about your shoe obsession or how many duck faces you can make in your bathroom mirror. And speaking of bathroom mirrors, you should not post a single selfie on your profile, guys - especially shirtless ones. In my book, that is an insta-delete. Don't you have any friends to take photos with you/of you?! Seriously.
Next came the e-mails and "winks". "Winks" are the equivalent of "poking" on Facebook. I don't exactly know the rules of "winking" or who made them up (wouldn't it have to be someone who's been on Match.com for...ev...er...which technically means they are probably not very cool at all?). Anyway, I've heard both good and bad things about "winks" Personally, I love "winking". It shows interest, so "wink" away...
E-mailing on Match.com is pretty straight forward. I'm sure it has it's own set of "cool rules", but I just did my own thing. Some people feel the need to reply to everyone with some sort of response whether they are interested or not. I just replied to the ones I could see myself hitting it off with. A few e-mailing tips: Don't compose an e-mail as if you are an 11 year old chatting with your BFF, Jill. I'd h8 2 talk w/ u more if u email like this. K? Thx. Second, don't ask for a meet-up right off the bat. You will be instantly labeled as "Stranger Danger". I never understood this to be honest. Just because my profile seems normal doesn't mean I'm not planning to make a lamp shade out of your skin and vice versa.
The most exciting part of online dating is definitely "The Meet Up". After (I hope) multiple days filled with long e-mails and witty texts, it is time to meet in person to see if the chemistry translates into the real world. I think this part is exciting! I still remember my very first Match.com date ever. I was so nervous - seriously, a hot mess! We awkwardly saw each other for the first time while standing on opposite sides of the street waiting for the crosswalk light to change. Awkward waves + a long pause for the light to change red = RomCom potential... Some tips for meeting in person: First, be yourself. Duh. Second, Google. While you don't want to know your date's entire life story before you two even meet, a simple Google/social media search should let you know if this person is who he or she claims to be. In addition, it will decrease your chances of being held captive with a bottle of body lotion in a creepy basement pit. Always a plus... (If you don't get this reference, Google that too.)
I wish I had some really weird, hysterical dating stories to share with you from the last six months, but (sadly or thankfully?) I don't. I did have a guy ask to take my photo on a date once. That same guy kept me waiting for half an hour during our second date (last time I saw him...). One guy had a phobia of eating in front of people. During one meet-up, I sat in traffic longer than the date actually lasted. Another guy was a horrible kisser, and I literally had to ice my mouth when I got home. I wish I was joking...
If anything, my six months on Match.com has been entertaining! It was a really great way to meet people after moving up here alone. For those interested, I would say go for it! Before signing up though, I would research the different sites to find one that matches what you are looking for. I randomly picked Match.com, but there are many different sites to choose from. For example, I've heard that eHarmony is best for people that are seriously looking for a relationship. From what I know now, I agree with that statement. I'd probably join eHarmony if I decided to give online dating another shot.
Now on to the good part - have I had any success during my online dating experience? (I'd like to start off by saying the two friends I convinced to join are happily in relationships now with guys they met on Match.com!) While I e-mailed back and forth with numerous guys, I met up with only six guys from Match.com during my six month subscription. Oddly enough, I'd say only the first guy and the last guy I met worked out well. I dated the first guy for about 6 weeks until he realized he wasn't interested in a relationship with me. We're still friends, so I count that as a "success" in my book. The last guy and I have been talking for about a month. It's still pretty casual because life has been crazy, but we try to see each other when possible. The ball is in his court, so we'll see how it goes!
I'd love to hear your online dating stories in the comments below!
Stay fit and fabulous,
A
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