The world is becoming increasingly more dependent on technology. We use our computer to do our banking, shop for gifts, keep in touch with our family…and find people to date. Online dating has seen a huge leap in popularity over the past ten years. Huge databases of singles’ profiles exist on some of the biggest dating sites like eHarmony.com and Match.com.

But do these dating sites really work? Can you expect to meet someone special online? In a word: Yes. Consider these statistics:

• 31% of adults in America say they know someone who has used an online dating service. (Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project Report: Online Dating, March 2006)
  
• Online Dating Magazine estimates that more than 20 million people visit at least one online dating service a month. (Online Dating Magazine - 2007)
• Online Dating Magazine estimates more than 120,000 marriages a year resulting from online dating. (Online Dating Magazine - 2007)

If you are sitting on the edge of the pool debating whether or not to jump in—now is the time! There are hundreds of dating sites; some of which are general purpose and others cater to people with specific interests—religion, ethnicity or income level, for example. Take your time to explore some of the sites and find the one that looks most comfortable to you.

Take care to fill out your profile as honestly and completely as possible. Many people have fallen into the trap of lying on their profile, putting old pictures of themselves before they gained 20 lbs., or making claims about their job/education/goals that turn out to be untrue. This is just setting yourself up for failure. You must have the confidence that there is someone out there who will love you for who you are.

Once you make a connection on your dating site, try chatting with the person online and on the phone before you commit to an in-person date. When you finally do make a date, be sure to meet the person in a public place. Do not give away anything personal like your address or financial information. And be sure to let your friends and family know who you are meeting and when you’re expected back.

Online dating is easy and fun. Take the leap and try it out…you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

While watching a show about the Disney Cruise Line on The Travel channel tonight, it suddenly dawned on me what a fabulous honeymoon or romantic vacation for two a Disney Cruise would make.  Disney really spared no expense when planning, designing and building their current fleet of two spectacular ships...Disney Wonder, Disney Magic and Disney Dream (the newest member of the fleet).  The show I just watched went into amazing detail on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ships and it totally knocked my socks off.

When one thinks of Disney they typically think kids and families but Disney designed their cruise fleet with everyone in mind, including us adults with no kids.  Each ship includes an adult only pool area and no shortage of adult only areas including clubs, restaurants and fine dining, world class spas, coffee houses and even quiet spaces where adults can congregate without the fear of screaming kids running around.  There's plenty of things to do for us adults traveling childless...Disney made sure of that. 

What really resonated with me was Disney's attention to detail in the design work on their ships.  The Mickey Mouse and character themes are subtle and you really have to have a keen eye to be able to find many of the details on the ships, like the characters hidden in the stair rails. According to Disney, their ships were conceived as "modern classics" and designed to "evoke all the glamour and beauty of the of the golden age of ocean travel".  They incorporate art deco and art nouveau styles in their design details, which I find very refreshing and charming in a world full of bright, neon lighed ships.

Disney never dissapointes when doing it BIG and they certainly thought big when they bought their own island in the Bahamas called "Castaway Cay".  It's a port of call on Disney's Bahamian cruise destinations.  To keep up with customer demand, Disney now sails to Alaska & the Pacific coast, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe and have transatlantic cruise options available.  There's really something for everyone here and after watching that show tonight...a Disney cruise is definitely on my list of "Must Do's" with Shawn.  Who knows...maybe Mickey and Goofey will see us in 2010?!

Cruise on baby!

Paula

I am so blessed to have someone like Shawn in my life! He is absolutely everything I could hope for in a partner.  He always supports me in whatever I do, he encourages me to chase my dreams, and he makes me believe I can do anything.  I don't know what I ever did to deserve such a guy but thank you for bringing him into my life because it has truly changed me for the better and showed me what real love is and what a happy relationship could be.  He sent me a message on facebook today and I just wanted to share it with everyone because it really made me smile: 

"Hey sweet thing, I wanted to formally invite you to the festivities for this evening. Furthermore, I want you to know that I am so very proud of you for what you are doing both in your business and your personal growth! I also want you to know that during any turbulence you experience during this period (pun intended), I am always here for you, and you can always talk to me. You are the love of my life, and I am eternally grateful for the gift of you! I would love to have you by my side this evening should you decide to come. Either way, I am looking forward to seeing and loving you this evening whenever it happens! Have a glorious day my love!" ~ Shawn

Our relationship has really inspired me to create WithLuv so that I can give back some of what I've been blessed with and create a place where we can all share ideas and personal stories in order to have happier, healthier relationships in our lives.

I wish everyone happiness and joy this holiday season!

Paula