Many times when I tell people that I met my wife online, they reply with the comment “Oh so it works, huh?” Then they inevitably ask, “Which dating site did you use?” So I want to answer both of these questions in order to give you some insight into the world of online dating.
Does it work?
Well, that depends on what you mean by “work”. I met my wife dating online, so the obvious answer is yes. But I really had to work my way through a lot of women who I would never consider dating. There are a ton of pictures and a ton of potential matches. So just because the dating app gives you a high percentage match does not mean she is necessarily a match in reality.
99% Match?
She may be a 99% match but she also may be 100% crazy. For example, I had a girl who seemed to be a good match for me. We messaged each other for a couple of days so I decided to google her. (always google her!) I found her name appear in a discussion thread on a website where she had posted some very inappropriate and hateful comments. I knew it was the same girl because the comments on the discussion thread revealed some personal info she had given me. Shortly after that, I sent her a text message and told her that I did not think we should communicate anymore.
Perseverance, Luck, and Providence
I tell you this story because I want you to be educated as much as possible before you enter into online dating. Yes, online dating works, but you will likely spend a great amount of time with the wrong girls until you find the right one. It may even become discouraging at times. But I encourage you to persevere and see what happens. Sometimes you may need to take a break from checking the app for a couple of days, but don’t give up.
6 months
I recommend you sign up for a 6 month membership so that you will not feel rushed. I also recommend 6 months because it’s important to give it a real chance. If you are going to date online then go all in! Commit to the process and allow God to work. Somewhere in the world there is a girl seeking the same thing you are. It takes perseverance, a little bit of luck, and a whole lot of God’s providence.
What website did you use?
I used Christian Mingle because I figured it gave me a better chance to find a genuine follower of Christ than any other app. It’s funny, because I remember seeing all these corny Christian Mingle commercials on television when I was younger and thinking it was so stupid. But when I wanted to start online dating, I went straight to Christian Mingle.
Advantages of Christian Mingle
Christian Mingle is great for a number of reasons which I may discuss in depth in a future blog post. One of the great things is that you will be able to know many things about your potential date simply by looking at the profile. This includes info such as denomination, frequency of church attendance, and more personal questions about the role of faith in her life. I certainly recommend Christian Mingle if you are weighing your online dating options.
I hope to write more about my experience of online dating in future blog posts. If you have any questions, please comment and let me know. I may just write a blog in response.
Jeremy
