Lasting, committed relationships through Internet dating

[Telulah]

Hello,

I've been dating for three years (on and off) via internet dating sites, and have not yet met anyone who I've been able to form a long lasting relationship with. I've met plenty of married men (one who I was in a relationship with for 8 months before I found out that his long suffering partner had bought him a house where he could 'entertain' women as she was fed up with his affairs and just wanted it out of her sight). Another was an alcoholic who definitely wasn't in recovery, or men who are trying desparately to date to get over the woman they've still wanted to be with but couldn't...or just not my cup of tea. I have met the odd man who I have really liked who has seemed lovely but I've not been their cup of tea (!)

I am an optimist at heart and I do believe that I will meet someone wonderful. I don't want someone wealthy; he doesn't have to be super looking, or do any particular job, but I do insist that he be kind, caring and able to string two sentences together. I was married to a fantastic man who died 10 years ago who I was with for 10 years so I know that there are nice men out there...

However, I would feel much more optimistic if I knew there were real women out there who are also single parents who have met a man they have really clicked with, AND have been able to sustain a long term relationship with (without them revealing they have a wife/boyfriend/string of convictions etc.)

Thanks very much.

Thank you everyone,

I'll look at all the different sites and make a decision...

Aw, thanks megsophandemma x

following this with interest...found a nice guy but he anint talking tonight!?

DH and I met on the internet 10 years ago, still going strong

Not through internet dating, but it was 2000 and there weren't too many people doing internet dating back then.

There's no reason why it can't happen, good luck!

Me and DH are married with PFB on the way, we met online (though not on a "dating site") 3.5 years ago

like others did my bit of online dating on/off for about 6 months when it suited me and
met mostly muppets, was v jaded and cynical
then met my now dp tho i have to confess that i wasn't looking for a serious relationship just a nice bloke to go out with every now and then when it suited me and dcs allowing

anyhow ffwd over a year and we're still together and are currently trying to buy a house together and are planning to get married next year
and i'm divorced with 3 btw so yes it can happen!
the dating thread on LP's is still going strong and despite having alot of posts all the regulars are v friendly and supportive so you're always welcome

I use to use Girls Date For Free and also Plenty of Fish.......both are free. I met my DP on GDFF just over two years ago

I met my fiance on match.com Getting married in Oct, and baby due in Feb. He seems is normal.
However, there were many less happy internet dates with all sorts of shady characters. Just keep going... they're not all idiots ; 0

I have a LTR with an internet man. I've been with him for 15 months and although we don't yet live together, we are committed, properly committed, to each other.

wow everyone has had a lot of success with this internet dating...I'm giving it a go at the mo. I started another thread about it....

When you messaged someone for the first time what did you say? And when did you suggest a meet up?

ta x

Hi Telulah and welcome to MN.

Met my DH on Dating Direct which I used for about 14 months before meeting "the one" . I also used Loopylove which was OK but not IMO as good as dating direct.

In that time I met a few frogs, had a fair few fun dates which did not go anywhere but were enjoyable enough (I can do small talk pretty easily) and 3 very nice men who ticked almost all the boxes except for the soulmate factor before finally conecting with DH. I had no children when I met DH (we now have a DS) but the three very nice but not my soulmate men all did and would not have batted an eyelid at dating a woman with children.

Good luck x

I met my DH through Dating Direct, we have been married for over 5 years now and are still very much in love. I had a few rules about internet dating, don't know if they are helpful or not but will add them anyway:

1. Only met men with photos, they don't have to be devilishly handsome, but you will know instantly if you are never going to be physically attracted to someone so why bother meeting them

2)I would leave it to them to suggest meeting up, but on a few occasions I had long email chains and telephone conversations initiatied by the bloke, then either they would back out of we wouldn't click in person. So a few friendly emails are fine, but if they haven't suggested meeting within a couple of weeks of conversing then suggest you meet up or move on.

3. Lunch or drinks only for first date, if you like them you can string it out, if you don't then you can make a sharp exit

4. If you aren't too sure, give it 3 dates. I very much liked my DH the first time I met him but was unsure if it would develop into romance, but by the third date I was more convinced

Good luck, hope it works for you.

Thanks very much everyone. I will try again. I still feel jaded, but am very impressed by everyone's stories on here. It is fantastic to know there are so many unmarried/commitment ready/bloody nice men on dating sites.

I'm a bit stuck for babysitters right now so feel very isolated, so not right for internet dating, but once September is here and they're both back from holiday, I will wade in there again... :-)