Online Dating Fulfills The Destiny Of Two Singletons

It Was Meant To Be

A friend of mine is in love.  She’s head over heels.  She and her new man have recently come back from a romantic weekend away in Edinburgh.  They’ve been going out for about six months now and everything is looking very rosy indeed.  They met on an online dating site.

A year ago, Sarah was single and jobless.  Her long term relationship with her over-bearing and sometimes abusive boyfriend had thankfully, albeit it painfully, come to an end.  At around the same time, she was made redundant.  She went through a short period of anxiety, grief and unhappiness, but, being a naturally very bubbly person, soon turned her situation into a positive – a whole new life beckoned; a chance to start again with who knew what exciting encounters around the corner.

Within a couple of months, she had secured a new job in London.  Rather than commuting the hour to work, she decided to brave it and at the ripe age of 43, rented a room in a flat in Putney.  She was branching out, trying new things, meeting new people.  Never a fan of internet dating, her landlady, Debbie convinced her to join the site she was on and she went on a few dates.  They were alright.  No one special came through but at least now she realised that there were some nice people out there in cyber land.  One night, Debbie had a date and all went well.  She introduced him briefly to Sarah and she gave Debbie the thumbs up.  Although Debbie was very keen, much to her disappointment, nothing came of the date with Simon, and Sarah thought no more of it.

A few weeks later, Sarah tried again to find a suitable match on the dating site.  Her job was going well, she had great friends around her and her confidence was starting to shine through again.  But there was just one thing missing, a relationship.  She logged on and checked her messages.  One profile stood out for her and she started communicating with him.  They got on very well, seemed to share all the same interests, had the same sense of humour and banter.  When she clicked on the photo, she thought she recognised him, but wasn’t quite sure and thought, ‘What the hell, he sounds good fun,’ and they arranged to meet.

When she got to the meeting place, a wine bar in Fulham, Sarah realised why his picture was familiar.  It was Simon, Debbie’s previous internet date.  It was him whose profile she had matched up with completely randomly and within a very short time, they fell madly in love. Sarah and Simon were amazed that of all the profiles that had attracted them, they ended up with someone they had already met – a sure sign that something special was about to happen.  That was six months ago and after spending their first romantic weekend away together, they’re now planning their first long holiday.  Sarah couldn’t be happier.  There’s only one slight problem, how do they break the news to Debbie?

ISO LTR? GSOH? Online Dating Abbreviations

If you are new to online dating, you have probably noticed many abbreviations sprinkled throughout people's profiles. These seemingly random combinations of letters can tell you a lot about an individual, but you need to figure out what they mean first. Here are a few of the most commonly used online dating abbreviations. Learn these abbreviations and you will be able to avoid those potential matches who are still LITPB (Living in their parents' basement!).

Ethnic Origins & Religious Beliefs

Many online daters indicate their race with an abbreviation. They use W for white, B for black, A for Asian, NA for Native American and H for Hispanic. Religious affiliation is indicated similarly. J stands for Jewish, LDS stands for Latter Day Saints or Mormon, and C stands for Christian.

Sexual Orientation

There are also abbreviations that explain sexual preference. BI means bi-sexual, and G means gay. Usually, straight individuals will not use any special abbreviations to let you know that they are heterosexual.

Status & Lifestyle

Sometimes, abbreviations can let you know a lot about someone's background and lifestyle. A D on a profile usually means divorced. If they occasionally indulge in recreational drugs, they will let you know by putting a 420 somewhere in their description. Social drinkers or light drinkers identify themselves with a SD or LD. If an individual does not smoke, they might let you know that fact by writing NS. Usually non-smokers indicate that they are seeking a fellow non-smoker.

Characteristics

In addition to letting you know a little bit about themselves, online daters use abbreviations to let you know what type of person they are looking for. HWP means Height Weight Proportional, indicating that they want someone who is reasonably in shape. SI means that they want someone with similar interests. GSOH means good sense of humor, something that is necessary in any relationship. ISO means in search of. So if a dater writes MISOWGHOH, that means he is looking for a woman with a good sense of humor.

Not everyone on a dating site is looking for a long term relationship. If they are looking for a long term relationship, they will indicate that by writing ISOLTR. Sometimes people just want a STR, or short term relationship. Others are looking for something even more serious. MM stands for marriage minded, so you should only contact that individual if you are ready for a very long term commitment.

Online daters even use abbreviations to let potential matches know what they like in the bedroom. BDSM or SM means that they are looking for some kinky sadomasochistic fun. One abbreviation that is showing up more frequently on dating sites is GGG. This abbreviation, coined by sex columnist Dan Savage, means Good, Giving, Game, meaning that you are willing to indulge a partner's fantasies, even if those fantasies might not be your exact cup of tea in the sack.

Think of these dating abbreviations like little clues that need to be deciphered. Your prize for figuring out the puzzle might just be finding the love of your life.

Here's a list we've managed to compile from profiles we've seen and on various places on the web.  If you know of any more then please let us know using the Comments form below.

• A :  Asian
• B :  Black
• BI : Bisexual
• BIF: Bisexual Female
• BIM :  Bisexual Male
• BIMF :  Bisexual Married Female
• BIMM :  Bixesual Married Male
• BDSM :  Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and/or Masochism
• BBW : Big Beautiful Woman
• BHM: Big Handsome or Hunky Man
• CPL :  Couple
• D: Divorced
• DDF : Drug and Disease Free
• DTE :  Down to Earth
• DWF : Divorced White Female
• DWM : Divorced White Male
• F2F : Face to Face
• GGG : Good at Giving Game
• GSOH : Good Sense of Humour
• H :  Hispanic
• HWP : Height and Weight are in Proportion
• ISO : In Search Of
• IRL : In Real Life
• J :  Jewish
• K :  Kids
• N/K :  No kids
• LD :  Light Drinker
• LDS: Latter Day Saints
• L :  Lesbian
• LTR : Long Term Relationship
• LFG :  Looking For a Group
• LSD :  Latter Day Saints
• LGBT : Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender
• M4M : Men For Men
• M4W : Men For Women
• MBA : Married But Available
• MM : Married Men or Marriage Minded (be sure to determine which!)
• MNC : Married, No Children
• MWC : Married With Children
• NSA : No Strings Attached
• NS or N/S :  Non Smoker
• PF : Professional Female
• PM :  Professional Male
• RL :  Real Life
• SALT : Single and Loving It (shouldn't that be SALI?)
• SBF : Single Black Female
• SBM : Single Black Male
• SCF : Single Christian Female
• SCM : Single Christian Male
• SD :  Social Drinker
• SGL :  Single
• SI :  Similar Interests
• SWF :  Single White Female or (Straight White Female)
• TDH :  Tall Dark and handsome
• TS :  Transsexual
• TV : Transvestite
• W/E : Well Endowed (yeah - right!)
• WLTM : Would Like To Meet
• VBD :  Very Bad Date
• W :  Widowed or White
• WAA :  Will Answer All

A little bit of TLC can be tough love

TLC in a relationship – and this stands for trust, love and commitment – are sometimes tough to give if you have suffered hurt in the past but are even tougher when you find your new partner still has an active online dating profile.

After all, you have given yourself body and soul and they can’t even offer a small commitment like making themselves unavailable while they are with you, so what’s the deal?

Well, men and women think differently about TLC.

Don’t fall victim to self-denial

If you are a woman and your guy is still flashing ‘I’m here come and get me’ online, then you need to check out why.

Of course, he’ll say he forgot, but you just know that he’s probably not telling the truth. You’ll try self-denial, telling yourself it doesn’t matter anyway and you can’t believe he’ll do anything to hurt you.

All the time, deep down, you know he’s a loser and you’re wasting your time.

For guys, knowing she’s flirting with other guys and that they find her attractive is a turn on. They know she’s committed them and wouldn’t stray.

The best way to resolve what’s going on if you are not happy is to ask him what’s the deal. After all, he’s either with you or he’s not. If you’re scared to ask, perhaps that denial is kicking in again because you already know the answer is he’s not.

Fun flirting is no harm to a strong relationship

If he really is devoted to you and isn’t looking for an escape route, then suggest he switches off his profile and if he gets a kick out of other guys flirting with you, keep yours on, but with the proviso you make sure he’s about when you sign in to any sites.

Then, if you find his profile is reactivated after that, he needs to have a good explanation at the ready.

In an open and honest relationship, both of you should have the confidence and security in the other to know just how much TLC to give and expect.

If you don’t, perhaps you ought to be looking at whether the relationship really is for you.

Rom Com Movies for Valentine’s Day

Settling down to a romantic film comedy on a night out at the cinema is a favourite way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

To make the point, the latest movie rom com, called Valentine’s Day, is out on February 12 in cinemas up and down the country.

Starring a ton of Hollywood stars, including Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Eric Dane, Jamie Foxx and Queen Latifah, the film looks at the lives of a number of people in Los Angeles and how their lives affect everyone else’s on February 14.

Another deeper romantic story out on film for Valentine’s is Dear John, starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried as star-crossed lovers.

It’s one of those boy meets girl stories where the boy loses girl and goes off to find she’s married but they still love each other…all against the backdrop of New York on 9/11.

For those who like an oddball take on romance, Jim Carrey and Euan McGregor team up for I Love You, Phillip Morris about a convict who loves his cell mate so much he keeps breaking out of prison to be with him.

If any of these fail to light the fire of romance, then consider a night on the sofa with a DVD.

For her – well the list is endless, starting with ABBA and finishing with Zoolander

For him – try As Good As It Gets or the hit-and-miss comedy Zack and Miri Make A Porno. Don’t worry it isn’t exactly what it seems!

If you are looking for someone to snuggle with on Valentine’s Day, then a quick look at Love Services members’ profiles for film lovers should do the trick.

Meeting for a drink and a film is an easy way to get to know someone – and there‘s not a lot of difficult talking involved!

Before the movie, you have the movie you plan to see plus your favourite films and stars to chat about, and afterwards, the movie you have just seen.

The Ten Worst Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

You know the world’s gone barking mad when the best gift suggestions on offer for Valentine’s Day are a pizza made from chocolate and a silver plated engraved Rolo as sweet ways to express your feelings.

Browsing the net for love token suggestions shows just how desperate some stores are at cashing in on that special day.  Take buying a pole-dancing lesson for your loved one for £30 or you can join in for £60.  The last time most of us got our legs that high was going up stairs.

The fact is, he or she should not really need you to say you love them. They should already know.  Worst Valentine’s gifts include a spud and a bag of lentils

That doesn’t mean ignoring Valentine’s Day, but don’t go online and grab an outlandish gift when you could spend the same money on a cosy night in – or out – for two.

Saying ‘I love you’ by spending a great evening together doing what she likes is much better than scouring the internet for some junk present that’ll lie unwanted in a drawer.

The ten worst Valentine's Day gift ideas

(according to one store’s (Buyagift) survey of 1,000 women of various ages)

1. Kitchen bin

2. Screw driver set

3. Washing up gloves

4. Vacuum cleaner

5. Ironing board with an iron

6. Clay pigeon trap

7. Bag of lentils

8. Stolen flowers

9. An IOU

10. Tea towels

No one seems to have asked men about their best or worst Valentine’s gifts, although the same site that carried out the survey for women above says one man commented he once received a potato for Valentine’s Day.

All you really want for Valentine’s Day is your soul mate (but a treat would be nice too!)

For her, anything based around love-shaped sweets could be a no-no unless she's got a strong sentimental streak, so choose something a bit more grown up like a spa day pampering treat.

For him, just because it’s silver-plated or some sort of novelty game doesn’t necessarily cut the mustard, so how about a day driving a Ferrari, or a trial flight in a light aircraft or balloon?

In the end though you both want the same – each other – to make Valentine’s Day extra special, but if you just have to buy something that makes the day complete try one of the many present ideas from Buyagift.co.uk

Amusing Online Dating Profile Headlines

If you are new to the experience of online dating, then you may have concerns about writing a profile that will stand out amongst the many others listed on matchmaking websites. Since many people consider "a sense of humour" to be one of the most desirable qualities in a partner, you can increase the likelihood of your online dating profile receiving numerous views by writing an amusing headline. When you add a touch of wit to your profile headline, you are presenting yourself as a fun-loving, warm, and friendly person whom others will enjoy meeting and spending time with. Follow these tips when creating an amusing title for your personal dating profile:

Highlight Your Interests

You can easily be inspired to write amusing online dating profile headlines when you focus on your favourite interests or activities. For example, if you enjoy bungee jumping, you can catch the attention of a like-minded suitor with a witty headline such as "Bungee Jumper Looking To Dive Into The Dating World!"

Are you fond of cats? Title your profile with a feline-friendly statement: "Cat Owner Hopes To Meet Purr-fect Companion". You can also highlight your professional interests in a humorous manner with profile headlines such as "Banker Seeks To Invest In A Loving Relationship".

Use Engaging Text

The headline of your dating profile is the "first impression" that fellow readers will receive, so when taking a humorous approach, try to use words that are eye-catching and engaging. Rather than using a generic headline such as "Man Seeking Woman Who Likes Comedy Films", give your text some polish by substituting a phrase such as "Comedy Film Buff Seeks Light-Hearted Lady To Share Popcorn And Laughs". Compose a fun and original headline so that your dating profile can be noticed.

Be Concise

Your headline is meant to be a brief overview of your dating profile, therefore, you should refrain from packing too much detail into one phrase or sentence. An amusing headline is enjoyable for potential love interests to read, but try not to create a rambling line of text by including every humorous element that crosses your mind. Write a brief and snappy profile headline, and incorporate additional fun facts into the profile itself.

When creating amusing online dating profile headlines, you have many options available in regard to style and word choice. For best results in getting a good number of responses, choose a headline that conveys a sincere and approachable tone. Though humour exists in many forms, try not to present yourself in a sarcastic or overbearing way--strive for a lightly amusing quality, and you are certain to make compatible respondents smile, laugh, and send replies!

A New Twist for a First Date

Before planning a first date, always talk to the other party for a little while and ask some key questions like 'What do you like to do for fun?' Listen carefully to what that other person is saying so you can steer your first date into a very successful adventure!

Is your prospective date a daring sports enthusiast? If so, hook up with your local paint ball site by checking on the web and have a great first date aiming to hit the target! While paint ball equipment can be rented for pretty minimal costs, make sure to wear clothes that cover you up from head to toe, because the paint balls can sting if they hit bare skin.

Do you think your prospective sweetie is more of the indoors type? Then check with the local cooking schools and sign up for a class on how to prepare some gorgeous meal together. Cooking always represents a nurturing and caring spirit, and cooking together could help nurture your relationship to new heights!

So what if your prospective date is really adventurous and loves the chills and thrills of things? Then do a little on line research to find out the nearest haunted house. Get a little information on the background of the place, and head out there for a night time of hauntingly good happenings! Some of the well known places have their own “Ghost Buster tours” so make sure you verify what access is available to the public so you can ensure the scariest time of your lives!

If you've caught on that your prospective cutie is more of an art lover, then pick a beautiful local spot, like a botanical garden and head out there with digital cameras on hand. Make a scavenger hunt list for things that have to be found, and help each other discover the beauty in all of the wonders of nature! Right after all the pictures have been snapped, head over to a one hour photo service together to have the prints done in a cute little memory book; it's a way to remember this first date forever!

Always remember there are many exciting and very enjoyable ways to spend your first date, and they all begin with a little extra care in planning which direction to steer the love boat!

Making every second count on your calls to service singles

Service singles (single men and women in the Armed Forces) overseas are separated by thousands of miles and limited talk time on mobile phones, so it’s important to make every second count.

Service men and women have 30 minutes a week free talk time on their mobile and you need to plan in advance what you are going to say.

It’s hard to keep a romance going on two hours a month talking plus any other time you can grab chatting online.

Don’t forget your partner has eagerly looked forward to your chat as much if not more as you have at least your family and friends are around you in a safe zone.

What to talk about

* Planning the future - Setting out plans for dates when your partner comes home gives them something to look forward to and removes any doubt about the strength of your relationship and gives you both a hook about future promises to think about while you are apart.

* Good times - Remind each other of great days out you have had in the past.

* Fun times - Laugh about people you know or something daft that has happened to them.

What to avoid

* Fretting about your relationship - he or she may will want to know you are OK but they don’t want you to inject any doubt.

* Don’t talk like your grandma - you may have been poorly or have trouble with the bills, but other people really don’t want to know that when they ask how things are going.

The idea is that your conversations and online chats are fun times not moments you dread because you are depressed and miserable about spending time on your own or your partner has to listen to small talk they don’t really want to hear.

Of course, you don’t want to go too far and give your partner the impression that you having such a good time while they are away that you really aren’t bothered whether they come back or not.

Another good idea is to have a checklist of topics to tick off while you are chatting to make sure you do not miss out anything important.

Love song strikes a chord with the services

The favourite love song of many servicemen and women is on sale for friends and families – and all proceeds from the sale go towards helping the wounded from the conflict in Afghanistan.

Love Farewell is a popular folk song rearranged by folk singer John Tams for the Napoleonic War TV series Sharpe.

Tams has released the song, accompanied by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles Regiment.

The military band asked Tams to help them record the song after the reception the band received every time they played for service personnel and their families.

The music has sadly been played at many funerals of serviceman.

Love Farewell is available as a download from the Help for Heroes website for £1 and comes with bonus track Over the Hills and Far Away/Sharpe’s Theme.

“I’m a civilian - I hold no truck with war yet the young men and women returning in heartbreaking numbers, dead and wounded in service was an opportunity to put my voice where they had put their lives – a small gesture for me – an all too often life-losing, life changing sacrifice for them," said Tams.

"It’s a love song, a leave-taking song without jingoism or sabre rattling and if it makes a difference to the care of those coming home and their families, my small contribution has been worthwhile.”

The Rifles music director Captain Mark Purvey, said he rearranged Love Farewell after the regiment's Colonel Commandant, General Sir Nick Parker, challenged him to produce a piece of music that would be relevant to, and inspire today’s soldiers.

"The song was actually from Queen Anne's reign but it really strikes a chord with the lads today too," he said.

"When we played it for some of the troops who were deploying and some who had recently returned, the reception we got was pretty spectacular - they really loved it. It's by soldiers and for soldiers. It's about the horrors of war but it's also about leaving the people you love behind, and looks at both sides. I think most people can relate to that."

Christmas romances can last for years to come

"Please cancel my subscription and remove my profile"

Strange as it may seem such requests are music to our ears. The whole point of a dating is to bring people together after all, and to give them the chance to meet others and form lasting relationships.

So when our members ask us to remove their profiles we do so gladly as our work is done. Besides, more and more members join each week and so the cycle begins again.

Christmas - Humbug or Happy Holidays?

There's something about this time of year that brings emotions to the fore. All those careful controlled feelings that have simmered under a firmly clasped lid all year can easily spill over.

The yearning of a lonely soul is one such stirring that can suddenly become the biggest priority for a single man or woman. So now more than ever is a good time to reach out to others. If you seize the initiative you might just be in for some lovely surprises in the New Year!

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