Match.com--A Success Story

Back in the Summer of 2003, I had been in numerous failed relationships and was so ready to get into a serious, committed relationship that actually could lead to something more.

I had tried Internet dating once before, but it was a bust. This time out though I decided would be different. Since I knew what I didn't want in a potential mate now after all my past failed situations, I figured that I could narrow it down on what I actually was looking for that special someone. I really was ready to find happily ever!

First and foremost, I posted in my profile exactly what I was looking for and of course my picture. Some of these things I was looking for in that special person were as follows in the next 2 paragraphs.

I knew I wanted someone educated and that had a decent job and future. Also, I was intent on this person coming from a strong, family oriented background. I also was wanting this person to have a good sense of humor and be outgoing, but not too outgoing that he did not know his boundaries at first.

I will be honest I definitely was very picky too about the way the guy I would date looked too. Be honest, you need to be attracted to the person you are dating and I knew this and would not settle for less. I happen to always be more attracted to tall, fair skinned guys. The paler the better I once joked, but this was just my taste and can't help what I like if this makes sense. Also, I am not gorgeous, but I am and still even after having 2 kids now am in shape and not completely unfortunate and felt that I deserved to be with someone who was at least my equal. I truly hope to not sound rude or conceited here, because believe me I truly am not either of those things, but I learned if I wasn't somewhat picky from the past situations then I wasn't going to end up with someone that not only could keep my interest verbally, but also physically.

All these things I have mentioned I posted specifically in my profile and did not pull any punches about what I was specifically looking for in a potential mate.

At first, I got quite a few responses, but I wondered do people actually read what others write. Because of course I got messages from others who did not meet most of what I was asking for on the other end in my profile. To be honest, I did not respond to these people. Not to sound rude again, but if they couldn't bother reading my profile and just looked at my picture than that is their own fault.

I did get two responses that did stand out. I spoke to both of these guys online through e-mail and instant message first. One of the guys, I did finally meet up with. We met once and all he was after was sex. I pretty much met him for an hour, got in my car and went to a party for the 4th of July and never looked back. The other guy seemed like a stand up guy and talked to me through e-mail and the phone once. When we spoke on the phone, he was a bit shy and hesitant. I am a very outgoing person and usually can talk to anyone, but I was having trouble staying the course in our conversation. I didn't rule him out though, because he truly did seem like a decent person. We continued to e-mail even after that conversation, but that was pretty much it, because soon I came to the realization that he just wasn't the one.

With the responses I was getting and the two previous guys I had mentioned, I decided to search the profiles myself. Well, I came across one that stood out to me. His username was Cunningham77. From the get go, I was intrigued. I loved the show Happy Days as a kid and Richie Cunningham, was the all American nice guy. Well, I decided to send Cunnigham77 a message. He wrote me back later that day. We started to talk on instant message that night and the next day or so. Then, he phoned me and asked me out on a date for that Saturday night.

Here is a copy of the original e-mail, I sent that he actually has saved after all these years by the way:

To: cunningham77 (cunningham77@talkmatch.com)
From: zepplin3055 (zepplin3055@talkmatch.com)
Subject: Hi there....I just wanted to drop you an e-mail and tell you a little bit about myself. I am a 26 year old NYU education graduate student. I live in Massapequa. I have long blond hair, brown eyes and am 5'2" and weigh 100 lbs. I am looking to meet a nice, smart and honest guy. I read your profile and was hoping to talk to you. Please e-mail me back at zepplin305@aol.com. Hope to hear back from you soon.

Janine

Saturday night came, Cunnigham77 (Kevin) showed up at my door at 8pm. From the first moment I laid eyes on him, I was hooked. He was physically attractive to me and totally my type (tall and pale). We went to see Pirates of the Caribbean and afterwards since it was summertime went for a walk on the beach. We ended up staying out until 5 am just talking. It was one of the best dates I had ever been on. When he dropped me off home, he promised to call me and he did just that later that evening.

Kevin and I continued to date. In the beginning, we would try to go on one date during the week and one on the weekend. After a few months, we saw each other everyday and even if one of us was sick would try to see each other even just for an hour or so. Kevin was such a gentleman through and through. I was just amazed that I actually found someone so wonderful and so right for me and online nonetheless. I remember my dad joking with him and saying, "I don't know where she found you, but don't ever leave!" But I have to admit my dad was right about the never leaving part and so glad that Kevin stuck around.

After 9 months of dating on April 3, 2004, Kevin proposed to me and of course I said yes. We were both in graduate school at the time for education, so we ended up having a long engagement. We actually didn't get married until July 8, 2006. We will be married 6 years and now have 2 little girls too, who are 3 years old and 19 months old.

In the end, I am so happy that I tried online dating even if I had some previous mishaps with it, because I truly believe Kevin and I are a Match.com success story. After knowing each other almost 10 years, being married for 6 years and having 2 beautiful perfect little girls together, I would definitely say that subscribing to Match.com in the summer of 2003 was one of the best things I ever did and just so thankful to have gotten my better half out of it. And in the end I truly did find my happily ever!!