Internet Dating

Do you think this is a good way to meet a nice guy. My daughter suggested it. Im not sure Thanks barb

Hi Barb Just keep your eyes and mind open....I have been married for 34 years so I can just say "TRY IT YOU MAY LIKE IT " A friend of mine was "between Bo's" Our local paper had a "singles" section. I was checking it out one day and found a "s/m wishes to meet " I cut out the section and gave it to her. She has never let me forget They are now married and have two kids....Soooo! Anything is possible...Good Luck Sandy

Barb, Well, Bob and I will be married 11 years on New Year's Eve... I answered his "personal ad" in the local newspaper! We had a first date and were married 6 months later. Have 2 kids and the rest is history. I'm not familiar with the internet dating, per se. All I know is that people sometimes lie about themselves (even in the newspaper ads). You might have to go on several dates (I did) with a lot of different people before you find your prince. If you do decide to do this and make some dates. Make sure you either go with someone and they can sit in the lounge, etc and wait for you...Meet at a busy place like a coffee shop, etc. NEVER give out your home phone, you call them. AND, watch them drive out of the parking lot first. You don't want someone following you to where you live. These are all for your protection, of course. With all you've been through, Barb, of late. Are you sure you're ready to date again? Don't you want to just take time and be "Barb" for a while? Get to know yourself for a while before putting yourself out there for a man. I know it gets lonely, but, do some things just for yourself for a while. You may find you like it! Good Luck, paula

My dh and I are an internet dating success story!!! We have a great story, that is too long to get into right now, but I will be glad to share it at a later time. My caution to you, Barb, is to be careful...from everything you have shared with this group, you are very willing to open up to people very quickly and when looking on the internet for companionship people will take advantage of that openness. I hope you will sit back and look at your need for some of the behaviors you have discussed with us (i.e. drinking in excess, affair, husband leaving, etc)--and seriously look at what is the best thing for you to do in your life. Please don't take this as too harsh, but from what you have shared, there are many destructive behaviors and it seems like to me that you may need to find someone you trust to give you the hard truth about what they see in your life and get some help in making some changes not only for the new you, but for your daughter and grandchildren, as well. Good Luck, ~~em

A friend of mine signed up for eHarmony a few months ago and she is having a lot of fun with the 3-4 guys that matched up...she is dating all of them! I think it was kind of pricey... Pam 5'2" 282/157/145

Hey barb how are things going? I have heard good things about e-harmony. My sister tried it and she did ok. My concerns for you as a friend is that you are rushing into something that you may want to put on the back burner for now. Just my opinion but if I could wish something for you it would be to find something that makes you personally happy. A hobby or activity- and try to meet a group of friends that way. Then let the "dating" occur. For you maybe joining a gym or exercise type program. Maybe it is judo, karate, boxing,weight training or jazzersize-- you love to exercise. Then finding a friendship that blossoms over something that you have in common. I have met a few people through hockey but that is my thing. Just remember that you are more likely to meet men at a weight training session than jazzersize, but hey that is just my opinion. -- note most instructors for motorcycle classes are guys....lol.... good luck in all that you do donna

hey barb... I have been separated for almost 3 years now...just waiting for the judge to sign the papers so that I am finally legally divorced and done with it... Once I finally told him that he needed to leave the house (it was October) I took some time to figure out what I wanted and needed -- I THOUGHT I wanted to date so I tried the internet dating...I signed up for 2 different sites (some are very pricey) and started emailing with some men back and forth...once I felt comfortable I decided that I would meet one of them (it was February).. he was such a nice guy when we emailed back and forth and then talked on the phone...He asked me to dinner and I agreed to meet him at the restaurant (didn't want him to know where I lived yet) -- we had a really nice dinner ..the conversation was great and he was a really nice looking man...after dinner we were going to see a movie...he suggested that we just go in his car and he would bring me back to the restaurant to pick up my car afterwards...I let my guard down and agreed to go with him...we went the movies..all went well...after the movie he asked me if I would like to go for a drink before going home...I again agreed...when we got to the bar he came around to open my car door for me...I stepped out and he pinned me to the car...when I resisted he used force...I began to panic and I guess adrenaline set in because I was able to push him back enough to work myself away from the car...he had my arm and used his foot to trip me...called me a tease because I accepted dinner and a movie from him and thought that I would get away without giving him "dessert"...he slapped me in the face and when I was stunned he pushed me back against the car and came down and bit my neck hard enough to leave a major bruise ... he applied pressure on my legs with his knees and I was bruised up and down my legs as well as my arms from his grip on them...Luckily for me someone came out of the bar and heard me yelling...he ran around to the other side of the car and got in and pulled away...I went into the bar and called my girlfriend and her hubby to come get me...when they got there they took one look at me and made me call the police...I didn't even know the guys last name...all I had was his cellphone #...we went and got my car and my g/f drove it home for me...I could barely walk the next day. I have never seen or heard from him again ... I chose not to file an official police report because I didn't want my daughters to know what happened or my estranged husband...it may or may not have been the right choice but at the time it was the one I chose to make. That was in February 2004. I swore off internet dating sites for over a year (did not go out at all) - my other girl friend (I never told her what happened) signed me up on one of the 30 day trial sites -- I agreed to try again. I met a few nice (??) guys thru email but was too afraid to go out with them so I didn't and I haven't. I'm not sure how to meet a good man or if any really do exist anymore ... There are so many happy stories about meeting the love of your life on dating sites but I am very very cautious and very skeptical now .. I understand that I shouldn't stereotype or generalize but after that experience it's difficult not to... If you choose to do the internet dating please set rules for yourself and stick to your rules!!! Be safe and I hope things work out for you!!! Linda

Wow Linda, I am really sorry that happened to you. Thanks for sharing your story, though. I briefly tried internet dating a few years ago. I was emailing with a couple of guys, and I gave one my phone number. Turned out all he wanted was for me to call him daddy and asking me if I was a bad girl That was the end of my little experiment!