Why is it that TV always makes everything look easier than it is in reality? In the spring of 2019, I found myself single and ready to dive back into the dating pool.

Ready to “put myself back out there,” I assumed the process would be as easy, as well as fun and exciting as TV made it seem. Turns out I didn’t have the first clue where to start.

My brother Patrick found success online when he met his wife Clare through a dating app so he encouraged me to give that a try.

Nothing else seemed to be working so why not, I thought. If you know me, then you know the fact that I opened my mind to something new, like online dating, is in and of itself an accomplishment. After checking out the various sites and eliminating the ones I heard were the most “trashy,” I handed over my heart and my wallet to Match.com to help me find the love of my life.

First things first, the profile picture. I decided to go for a front seat of my truck-motif. Fresh hairstyle - check, A smile that said I’m friendly but not too creepy - check. I thought I would need an online stick to beat off all my virtual suitors. This was going to be so easy.

Then…a whole lot of nothing. Thanks again TV! After a couple of exchanges that didn’t really go anywhere I was starting to get a little bit worried that this online dating thing really wasn’t going to work.

Now…this is where things get fuzzy. Nobody can seem to remember who initiated contact with whom. The important thing is that contact was made! Paige and I connected on Match. Fortunately neither Paige nor I are competitive people so this shouldn’t be an argument we have for the rest of our lives (ha ha).

After our initial back and forth conversations, I was definitely curious to learn more about Paige. She was funny and interesting and quick to respond. My profile picture worked!

After texting back and forth for a bit, we finally decided to meet in person. We found out we were both attending Church of the Highlands at the time, so we decided we would first meet there: Sunday morning.

The day finally came and I was equal parts excited and nervous. Amidst the sea of people at church that day we found each other. After exchanging some pleasantries we found seats together in the balcony and prepared ourselves for the most awkward church service of our lives.

During the service I noticed that Paige was every bit as funny and sweet and pleasant as she seemed online. It was a church service, but things were seeming to click. I knew we had to go out again on a real first date.

Fortunately for me, she agreed so we decided to go out to eat and then go bowling. I’d show off my bowling skills, she’d be impressed and then she’d be hooked. A great profile picture and an incredible bowler…a deadly combination.

We met at Half-Shell for our first meal together and I remember dinner going well. So far so good…off to Bowlero. It didn’t take long for me to figure out I had been hustled. Little did I know I was bowling against a competitive bowler. I didn’t even know middle school bowling was a thing!!!

Much to the enjoyment of the men in the lane next to ours, Paige had no problem dominating me in two straight games. Even though my pride took a hit, I had such a great time. I knew I had my work cut out for me with this one though.

After a successful first date we continued talking and seeing each other. A few weeks later we decided to take a trip to Destin for a fun beach weekend for my birthday. It was on that trip that we decided to make our relationship serious.

I eventually found out that Paige thought I was much cuter in real life than in my profile picture. Thankfully she did, because now after almost 5 years and so many adventures together we get to plan to spend the rest of our lives together. I truly can’t wait.