Online Dating

With apps like Tinder and many others, the whole online dating scene is becoming a pretty big thing. And there are a LOT of mixed feelings about this topic, especially from older generations. They tend to have an extremely negative view about dating online, and are (obnoxiously) vocal about it. They say that nothing good can ever come of it, that you're not even talking to the person you think you are, etc. 

Let me be blunt: these people need to get their heads out of their butts and out into the real world. 

When the internet first started and chat rooms became a thing, yes they were very dangerous. Webcams were uncommon, and Facebook and other social media weren't even around/popular, so it was easy for people to pretend to be someone they weren't. In 2015 with the way technology has progressed, it's nearly impossible for someone to disguise themselves, as long as we're all taking the right precautions.

I'm a HUGE advocate for online dating/friendships, and you know why? Jake and I met online. Through Facebook, yes, so it wasn't as "scandalous" as it could have been, but still. People are either pleasantly surprised when we share this information, or they're completely put off from ever speaking to us again. And I find that SO SAD. Just because the first time I spoke to my spouse was through a computer screen doesn't make our love any less real or "right."

Here's a picture of Jake and I on our first weekend together
in person, after talking online (Facebook, Skype, etc) for 3
months

Countless church leaders have spoken about the power for good (and for evil) that the internet holds, and I believe that online dating is just another one of those opportunities. I've heard countless horror stories about online dates gone horribly wrong, creepy messages or cyber-stalkers, and so much more. While those are common, there are so many good opportunities on these sites! We have an opportunity to share the gospel, or to find other LDS people who we may never have met in person. Jake and I definitely would not have met if it hadn't been for the LDS Facebook group that we were both members of; he lived in Texas, and I was in California.

Let me conclude by saying this: just because a couple met online doesn't mean they aren't a good match. If anything, they might be a better match than some couples that meet in person: people that meet online tend to be more likely to share common interests and get to know each others' personalities before seeing the physical side of things.