At 6:30 AM on the morning of February 15th, 2009, two single and divorced Jewish early risers (one male and one female) independently sat at their computers, lamenting yet another empty Valentine’s Day gone. No dates, no one significant in either of their lives, and no certain prospects to speak of.

Irwin decided that, having had some limited success with online dating previously, he would give it one more try and renew his then-dormant JDate membership for one month. Meredith had been on JDate for just under three months, and her trial membership was about to expire. She wasn’t convinced that online dating was for her. Still, both Irwin and Meredith were determined not to spend another Valentine’s Day alone. And both of them wanted their next Valentine’s Day date to be Jewish.

Irwin looked at several profiles and wrote to a handful of them, not really expecting any kind of response so early on a Sunday morning. Meredith was pleasantly surprised to find Irwin’s email in her JDate account. His note and profile caught her attention with his humor and charm. She immediately wrote back to him as the winter sun started to rise in the San Fernando Valley.

The two met the next day for lunch and began dating soon after. Three years and more than 10,000 emails between them later, Irwin and Meredith got engaged on Passover, 2012.  (“Will you marry me?” was the “Fifth Question” at his family’s Seder.)

Their wedding is scheduled for February 17, 2013, nearly four years to the day from when they first met through JDate. Now they know how they will spend the rest of their Valentine’s Days: together.

Thank you, JDate.

Both of us have advice for other JDaters®: Never give up. Persistence and patience are the keys. Also, believing that there IS someone out there for everyone, having a little faith and perseverance, and always using CURRENT photographs — those are important words of advice.

Meredith and Irwin
Calabasas, California