Dear JDate,
I was going through a divorce and I decided it was time to meet my soul mate. I heard about JDate from a friend about a year earlier because she was a member. I had never tried internet dating, since I had been married for the last 10 years. I first logged onto JDate in October 2003. Within the first few days I found this guy who I thought potentially would be a great match. He was very good looking, had an awesome smile, his profile sounded very sincere and sweet and we both were CPA’s that lived pretty close to each other. When I first saw his picture I swear I had known him or seen him before, but couldn’t place it exactly. All I knew was that I had to meet this guy. Even though I was new to the internet dating scene, I was feeling rather bold, so I IM’d him. He responded and we chatted a little. After a few more chats we found out we had even more in common. We talked on the phone a few times and he even gave me some advice about how to improve my JDate profile. I mentioned to him that I was searching for my soul mate and that I was looking to get married again. He told me that it was very hard to find someone and to be prepared because it was not going to be easy for me to find a good match.
Although he initially was looking for somebody without children (I had two very young ones at home), he decided that since he had been on the site for a few years he would give me a chance. Lucky for me, he did. On November 1st, 2003 we met for the first time. He came to my house and brought dinner for me and my kids. It was a very nice first “family” date. After I put the kids to bed we got to spend a little quality time together. He gave me one nice kiss goodnight and when we IM’d a few days later, I asked if I could see him again.
During the first year of dating, he told me I should continue to date because he wasn’t ready to make a commitment and he didn’t want to hold up my search. So I went back on JDate and continued the search for my soul mate. I contacted numerous guys and went on at least 12 dates in one year and didn’t find anybody that was a good match. I continued to chat with Greg almost everyday and we saw each other every weekend. We were having such an amazing time, dining out, going on hikes, exploring new places and meeting each others families. I realized during that year that we were very similar and were a great match.
It was towards the end of that first year that I fell completely in love with him, which I had hinted at, but didn’t actually tell him in words. Finally, on December 4th, 2004 he told me he was ready to commit to an exclusive relationship, which I was more than ready for. On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2005 he professed his love for me and at last I was able to tell him how much I loved him. It was a very happy day. We even went shopping for rings. On June 1st, 2005 he moved out of his house and in with me. We sold my house and moved into a new house in a new neighborhood on October 22nd, 2005 (exactly one year later I am sitting down and finally writing our JDate success story). After that things moved rather quickly.
On November 5th, 2005, two years after our first date, he took me on a 3-mile hike up a hill in the mountains. It was a grueling hike, but we were rewarded at the top with a nice bench and a beautiful view of the ocean. After a little snack, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gorgeous ring and asked me to marry him. There were a few other people at the top and I screamed “we’re getting married!” It was a much easier hike down the hill having that ring on my finger. Later he told me it was a bit of a test. If I didn’t make it all the way to the top (which I almost didn’t) I would not have received the ring. We got married quickly after that on December 16th, 2005 at the court house. Then on June 11th, 2006 we had the big wedding and our family and friends celebrated with us. Greg is definitely my soul mate and I couldn’t be happier. It’s now just 3 years after logging onto JDate and I’m extremely happy. Things are going even better than I expected, he is a great dad to our kids and the best husband I could ever hope to find. I always tease him because he said it wasn’t going to be easy for me, but it was very easy, all because of JDate.
From Greg:
I was always the ultimate optimist on finding a lifetime partner. However, I was 45-years-old and not even close to getting married. I was always out socializing, going on blind dates and trying an internet dating service. I was always open to make small adjustments, but this time I made a major change that paid off big time. I met Ilene who was separated, had two children and lived way out in Valencia. Normally I would not even consider dating someone who had kids, but Ilene matched up so well with me, unlike anyone else I had ever met. With a little time and a few adjustments I fell in love with Ilene and her children. It pays to have an open mind, even if it is far fetched at times. When you least expect it you will be rewarded…I was.
Tips for other JDaters:
Don’t give up! Take a break every once in a while, but be yourself and keep at it. And make sure the first date is always a coffee date!
Ilene & Greg
Oak Park, California