A joy to read. This is by far the best article I've read about online dating.

It brought up some old memories when I was looking for a partner. While I was not an online looker, I can certainly identify with Kate's recollections, although she seemed more confident that me. I kept thinking, when I should have been paying attention to my 'prospective', I wonder if I left the iron on? Not a good sign.

The writer epiphany, which sounds a bit like a sharp rise in dyistolic blood pressure. But a sign is a sign is a sign. I wonder how many potential partners she road tested before arriving at her man?

More articles like this please

For once I agree with Cheryl - a lovely article indeed.

As it happens, I met my partner via my one and only foray into an Internet dating site (seven years ago). Our initial experiences, while not identical to those of Kate Cole-Adams, were similar enough that I couldn't help but identify with those that she relates. In our case though, she's the vegetarian and I'm the one who probably drinks a bit too much.

Mind you, as we now live in a small country town where we operate a business together, I tend to evade the question when people ask how we met - although those whom I've told always react positively. It doesn't matter anyway, because we're both happier now than either of us had been before.

Oh, how I smiled on reading this post. Described so much more beautifully than I could have done myself.
My own experience is similar, hence the smile. I had reached the same conclusion that "single is better than incompatible". I had also determined to meet new people any way I could and the internet proved to be a valuable tool. There were the doozies (after the emailing and phone calls) the deciding to meet didn't leave me with the "small brazier" in my chest - more of a wishing I hadn't wasted the petrol to get there! What a valuable and intense experience all together though.
Met my (now) partner in a place where I was living far out of my comfort zone and we have been together for 5 years since.

Beautifully written - or should I say lovely.

Two couples I know met online and are very happy both sets are now married one with a young baby.

I must admit having been married for over 22 years the thought of being in the market again is a bit daunting - hopefully I won't be in that position but it is good to know there are some sometimes funny people out there.

If the internet is one way of meeting like-minded souls then it can only be a good thing.

The article reminds us that we are, none of us, perfect beings.

The author has a raw honesty and humanity.

I also liked the article and see it as one of the safest ways to meet others, but it has some drawbacks and I wonder if people consider these when evaluating people. In most cases people post their desires according to what they would like instead of what they would like to achieve, so draw their first conclusions of contacts within seconds and according to their perceived desires.

In real life we meet others personally and have the time to experience their personalities first hand. On many occasions this means we may choose someone who is not what we thought we were looking for, yet the change it brings are profound and normally excellent for our future.

Yet it also allows us to see if what we dream of is out there and if someone is looking for the same dream, they can be found anywhere in the world. The author points out if she hadn't followed her attraction, then she wouldn't have ended up happy with what she first perceived was not in her ball park. It's not the cover, but the contents that make a person and to many want the cover, rather than the person.

If we are cautious, we can have lots of fun and meet lot's of interesting and nice people on dating sites. To me that's a bonus at my age, as I don't have to spend heaps looking in places I may never find what I seek, whilst on the net, I can say what I want and others can choose.

Lovely article. Is it complete? I have been single 18yrs and on internet dating sites for 14 of these. Have met a number of men like the one described. A few have become 1 to 2-week acquaintances, but I finish with them, upon realising that jobless need my financial support, of which there is only enough for the earner of that support and car-less need my transport. In the city it might be different, but I am from regional Australia. Out here, that is known as a 'cadge'. 'Open your heart!' I hear you chorus. Yes, open your heart, your home, your wallet and everything, and you could even lose all your small electricals, one morning, not to mention the TV. 'Be aware' I say. 'Be very aware'. Sometimes you get a gut feeling: Like the one I chatted to for over 6 hours last week. First he owned his property, then he was living in the granny flat on his brother's property. First he had a job, then he was occasionally working. First he was from NSW, then he had just moved from VIC.
Also,on the first meeting, you describe the colours you will be wearing. Carrying an unusual object is for the movies. The article is lovely, don't get me wrong. It just belongs in the city and in the movies. But then, that's where the majority of people are,so that's all that matters.