The question remains, though: Does online dating really work? You probably know people who've used them to go on dates, and maybe you've done the same, but you're still left wondering if these so-called "CHRISTIAN" DATING SITES will really connect you to someone you'll actually marry.
We hear you.
We've shared before that we have friends who have met the loves of their lives online and are now married. And while we can't testify that it happens for everyone, we do know that it happens for "some "people. (Not the author of this post, of course, but "some".) We figured you might like to hear from people we know who walked this road and didn't just end up with a bunch of bad date stories but instead ended up walking down the aisle.
Cindi Renard and her husband Steve met online and have been married for 3.5 years. They have a 2-year old son named Caleb and currently reside in Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains. Cindi and Steve met on eHarmony, and we asked them a few questions about their experience with that particular site. Here's what Cindi told us:
Cindi however I waited two weeks before responding. I hesitated in responding because he was divorced with two sons. I was not looking for a relationship where he already had children. That idea frightened me. I dreamt of starting a family with just us. But his quick wit in the wording of his profile intrigued me. I thought I would at least answer the initial questions. Those questions lead to the next steps and with each phase I discovered we had very similar views and ideologies. But it was his love for God, tenderness, and his sense of humor which kept me responding.
"SR: From the time you started messaging back and forth, what was your initial dating process like? (How long did you communicate before you met in person? How many dates did you go on before you became exclusive, etc.?)"
"Cindi:" We communicated a week before he asked to meet in person. Once we reached the open email stage and had exchanged a couple of emails, he asked if he could call me. I agreed. After our initial conversation, we texted for a few days. Steve then asked to meet 3 days after our first phone conversation. He lived approximately 1.5 hours away from me. After 3 weeks and 3 dates later, we became exclusive. He once again initiated it by telling me he stopped communication with any others and closed his profile. I quickly followed suit.
"SR: eHarmony is one of the higher-priced online dating sites. Do you think it was worth it?"
"Cindi:" It was definitely worth it. There are certain things that are just worth their value like a good pair of shoes, quality mascara, and 2 ply toilet paper. You get what you pay for. eHarmony has those extra security measures which I believe help to weed out those who may have less than good intentions. It's not completely 100%, but higher than others I think.
"SR: Were you pleased with your eHarmony experience overall? Would you recommend it to other Christian singles?"
"Cindi:" Yes, I was very pleased from start to finish. I have and will continue to recommend it for Christian singles.
"SR: What are some tips you'd offer other Christians who are online dating? Are there things you wish you'd done differently?"
"Cindi:" I think the best advice I could give is don't put God in a box. Also don't compare your path with those around you. Let God do something unique for you. His way always proves to be the best, even if it looks like the most unlikely choice. A good friend of mine said something simply profound. She said she was going to keep pushing on doors to see if any would open. Mine was at a click of a button: Sent mail.
If you find yourself googling online dating reviews over the holidays, or if you've just been thinking that 2014 is the year you're going to dive headfirst into the world of online dating, here's a comprehensive list of the reviews we've done on SingleRoots.
Knowing is half the battle...
Best Christian Dating Sites in 2012 :: How to Pick the Right One for You
Free Christian Dating Sites :: How to Pick the Right One for You
eHarmony Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
Christian Mingle Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
Match.com Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
Christian Crush Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
Christian Caf'e Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
How About We Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
Zoosk Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
Marry Well Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
Chemistry.com Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
Christian Cupid Review :: Christian Singles Tell It Like It Is
Just think: if you find someone around the New Year, you'll likely be "official" just in time for that glorious holiday we've all come know and love, Valentine's Day.
RELATED: TOP DATING SITE REVIEWS
Visit eHarmony
Read Review
HOW TO GET AN EHARMONY FREE TRIAL
Visit ChristianMingle
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Visit Match.com
Read Review
Visit ChristianCrush
Read Review
SEE ALL 2013 DATING SITE RANKINGS
Photo credit: Bryan Rosengrant
The post Christian Dating Sites :: Guide for the Holidays appeared first on SingleRoots.
