Singles flock to online dating for different reasons. Some have busy schedules that don't leave time for traditional dates. Some are too shy to approach potential dates in person. Some are searching for something very specific, some are looking to broaden their horizons, and some are just curious.
But there's one thing they all have in common: each one is looking for love.
Day Ten of YourTango's online dating bootcamp is dedicated to finding that lasting love. Flings are fun, but what you're really looking for is something - and someone - special. Here are a few signs you've found long-term relationship material:
- There's no stop and go. Communication online isn't known for being consistent. One minute things will be going great with someone, the next minute they'll disappear and you'll never hear from them again. When that doesn't happen - when communication is both frequent and regular - there's a good chance you're the only person your paramour is talking to, and they're taking their budding relationship with you seriously.
- You email about the little things. The big things are important - that's how you get to know each other - but when little things start to feel important too, you know you're on the right track. If you can't wait to tell your honey about the funny thing that happened to you at the post office, and you're just as excited to read their silly stories, you've found someone who makes even the most insignificant parts of life amusing, and that bodes well for your relationship.
- The serious things aren't serious. The reverse is true, too. Making the boring things fun is a great trait in a mate, but so is making serious things seem less serious. Some parts of life are just plain ugly, like a parent's wandering eye, an uncle's alcoholism, or a cousin's jail time. A partner you feel comfortable sharing those things with, and who helps you see the light within the darkness, is worth holding onto.
- You've met the same number of people. You're on the same page, numerically speaking, when it comes to your dating habits. You've both met 4 people from the Internet in person in the last three months (or 5, or 15, or 30...). If you've met about the same number of people, it means that you're equally selective. "You both require the same amount or type of information from someone before committing to meeting them in person," says YourTango Singles Warehouse. "That sameness in judgment when it comes to online dating probably translates to judgment in other parts of life."
For more ways to tell if your online match is really for you, check out the original post here[*1] .
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