Imagine the joy of finding the love of your life, an exciting
romantic liaison or a rewarding friendship when you are looking and
feeling your worst. You had a hellish time at work the previous day,
you feel as though you haven't slept a wink, your skin would be a
voyage of exploration for a dermatologist and a crow would be more
than happy nesting in your hair. You feel tired and fed up and your
self-esteem is at an all time low. You long for someone special with
whom to share your life, but right now you feel that even Quasimodo
wouldn't consider you as a romantic option. In this moment of self-
deprecation, how is meeting Mr or Mrs Right possible? By taking
advantage of online dating, of course.
Helen is 38 and works for a prestigious law firm. Her dating
track record since the tragic and premature death of her husband five
years ago has been poor. Although the majority of Helen's work
colleagues are male, she says, "The majority of them are married and
even if they were available, I would not be interested. I also don't
think I could cope with having a relationship with someone involved
in the legal sector. I imagine that we would find it very hard to
leave our work behind. Socially, where does one go to meet
likeminded men who are genuinely interested in a relationship as
opposed to a one-night stand?"
Helen went onto explain that she met her late husband whilst
at university and, during the many contented years of her marriage, she
had a fairly blinkered view of dating agencies. "I viewed them with
suspicion, assuming that they were frequented by people who either
had major personality flaws, or else had some ulterior seedy motive.
I never once stopped to think about how difficult it is in this day
and age to meet suitable companions in mainstream environments. Of
course, about two years after Harry's death when I began thinking
that I didn't want to spend the rest of my life alone, I realised
that meeting other people was not that easy. Clubs and pubs really
didn't appeal to me. I tried going with friends to wine bars, but
found that I was largely on the receiving end of unwanted attention
from men in whom I had no interest. It was also obvious that the
majority of them were just after a quick thrill. Helen
quickly began to view dating agencies as an attractive option, but didn't really
like the idea of being computer-matched with
someone. After all, that removed personal choice and she made it
clear that she was not the sort of person who liked having choices
made for her! Her decision to try online dating as an alternative
was made whilst awaiting a dental appointment.
"In the waiting room, I came across an article on online
dating as I was idly perusing the obligatory stack of well-thumbed women's
magazines. The article must have been particularly well written,
because I was instantly sold on the idea. The concept of being able
to peruse a database of potential suitors whilst still in my
dressing gown was extremely appealing. At least I knew that when I
did dress up, it would be because I actually had a date, rather than
putting a huge effort into preparing for a night cruising around
social clubs, with no guarantee that I was going to meet someone.
After my appointment, I couldn't wait to get home and begin checking
out some of the sites that were recommended. Helen spent
a long time researching the plethora of online dating sites before she found
one that she felt catered for her needs,
which of course included a level of security.
"I wasn't particularly drawn to totally free sites, because
I felt that they were more likely to attract members who weren't
particularly serious about the process, or whose intentions weren't
entirely honourable. I was more interested in sites that allowed you
to peruse profiles, but which required you to pay for full
membership before allowing you to contact other members. That way, I
knew that those I contacted were probably more serious about meeting
someone special and not just after a quick fling. I wanted to sign
up with a site where I felt totally in control and also secure in
the knowledge that none of my personal contact details would be
divulged to anyone unless I specifically chose to give out this
information. I was also more impressed by sites that offered a range
of relationship advice and articles."
Helen eventually signed up with www.DatingHappy.com and says
that it was one of the best decisions she has ever made.
"At
first I felt rather embarrassed admitting to even my closest
friends that I had chosen this route, but when I did, I was amazed
at how many of them had also considered doing the same thing. One of
my friends, whom I assumed had met her husband at the gym, admitted
that she had actually met him via an online message forum. Although
this wasn't the same as a dating agency, essentially it was no
different. She had found someone with whom she shared common
interests, but whom she had not previously met face-to-face and that
is exactly how I began broadening my male social circle, except via
a dedicated relationship facility.
Helen says that she found the search process "exhilarating".
"It was like being an invisible fly on the wall in a room
full of interesting men from all walks of life with their personal profiles
attached to them I could look, analyse and weigh up the options in
a way that would be impossible if all those men were in one room.
The best part was the convenience and the fact that it didn't matter
one iota what I looked like or how I behaved!
"I also liked the idea of initially being able to build
the foundations of a relationship on friendship and mutual interests,
before actually meeting someone and being blinded by lust, which of
course never lasts with the same intensity as at the beginning of a
relationship!"
Has Helen met her match?
"Very possibly", she laughs. "I've had tremendous
fun and I'd like
to say that I believe I have found a relationship with future
potential, but you'll just have to wait and see......!!"
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