As Match.com marks its 20th anniversary, it’s hard to believe that online dating has been a thing for two whole decades! When Match.com launched in 1995, only 14% of Americans were online, making the quest for love a bit more challenging due to the tech gap.
I, however, was an early adopter in this brave new world of dating. My first foray into online matchmaking came in 1998, thanks to a pushy friend named Jake. He sent me an email with a link and insisted I sign up immediately. I thought I could procrastinate, but a minute later, my phone rang. “You’re not on there yet, are you?” he inquired, sounding rather accusatory. Nope, I wasn’t.
“Well, you better hop on, because I’m creating a profile for you right now, and if you don’t do it yourself, I’m using this one!” Yikes! That was my cue to jump in.
Filling out my profile was surprisingly enjoyable. I answered quirky questions about my birthday wishes and what habits would be total deal-breakers for dates. Then, I sat back and watched as the emails flooded in. It was exhilarating to know that so many guys were interested in my profile, all hoping I’d reply.
If I were to liken my dating journey to a fairy tale, it would be “The Story of the Three Bears.” The first date was just too boring—sweet but dull; we went to see Good Will Hunting, which I found just as uninspiring. The second fellow was far too rude, spending our time gushing over Angelina Jolie’s beauty in Gia and questioning why I didn’t watch Seinfeld. But the third guy? Well, he was just right. We’ve been happily married for nearly 14 years now, with two kids in tow. When people ask how we met, their reactions have evolved from shock to, “Oh, I’ve done that too!”
Match.com claims that the stigma around online dating has disappeared, but I’m not completely convinced. To celebrate their milestone, they encouraged users to share their success stories using #MatchTurns20. However, participation seemed a bit lackluster. Maybe the world isn’t as comfortable with online dating as they think.
But for me? I found the love of my life on a dating site and I’m living my own happily ever after. If you’re curious about home insemination, check out this informative piece on intracervical insemination. For couples navigating their fertility journey, Make a Mom is a fantastic resource. And for all things pregnancy and home insemination, IVF Babble is an excellent destination.
In summary, as we celebrate 20 years of Match.com, it’s clear that online dating has come a long way, and the stories of love and connections continue to grow, even if some stigma remains.