Online dating may be a laughing matter to some (mostly to the married) but love and finding that special someone is a super important subject to me. But before you can read this and believe the author – you should know a few things about me.
I am a professional writer and over the years have offered advice, tips and stories through blogs and other venues in an effort to entertain but mostly enlighten my audience about the pros and cons of online dating. Dating in Dallas for me began in the 90’s with the Dallas Observer. My girlfriends and I would write our free ads at the happy hours hosted by the DO and anxiously await the messages that would be left in our private mailboxes. It was truly dating blind and all you had to go on was a voice. Not exactly prime conditions for finding the love of your life – but they were visionaries in their time and it was only a matter of time before the internet paved the way for the future of dating.
I had met someone by that point and spent the next several years in a committed relationship. By the time I found myself single and ready to enter the “market” again, the landscape for dating had drastically changed! Online dating was in its infancy and as with all things internet related, it had some kinks to work out. But in typical Annmarie fashion, I dove right in – heart first! I chose the one with the highest sticker price thinking it was worth the money in order to find Mr. Right. Once I found my footing and gained some confidence, I divorced that dating site and planted my profile firmly on a site that seemed more my style! It offered less of the parental controls of the first site, it was less expensive and I could immediately see a sea of choices. It was indeed raining men in my little laptop and I was drunk with this new found power and acting like a five year old in a candy store! Needless to say it was a disaster in the making. With no plan, not a minute of forethought (except which credit card to plug in), I had set myself up for heartache. And boy did I learn the hard way!
After a year off, I pulled in some resources. Clearly I needed help and if anyone knows her limits as a dating human being – it’s me! I asked married couples, clergymen, co-workers anyone who had 10 minutes to spare – “What’s the secret to finding the love you deserve?”
So here I am… back in Texas after a year + absence to find myself, and ready to again help my readers find the love they deserve. Online dating DOES work – those Match.com commercials aren’t all fluff – I promise. But there is a method and it doesn’t include a large bottle of merlot, your best friend cheering you on in the background, or a professional writer examining your profile for you. But that’s all happened to me, and I’m here to tell you folks, that’s not the way to finding the love of your life online.
I’ve lived in several places in this great nation of ours. Selfish goals aside, I am bold and fearless and I enjoy the challenge of testing my boundaries – with myself and others. What’s been glaringly apparent to me is this: People are not the same wherever you roam. But you are. Be true to yourself and be true to the online dating experience and I promise, promise, promise you – you will get exactly what you deserve!
Online dating – what’s in it for you? Well that’s up to you kiddo! I’ll be here every step of the way that much you can count on. We’ll laugh, cry, scream, yell, and overload on carbs – whatever it takes to make sure you get the love you deserve! You may love me one day and hate me the next. That’s ok; I’m here for the long haul! If you think you know everything there is to know about online dating – keep reading my blog. You might just learn something!
