Success Stories: "I knew after our first date that I had found my husband-to-be." By Alicia K., 22, Lake Forest, California

January of 2005 changed my life. After giving up on traditional dating and numerous dating sites that led nowhere, I turned to Yahoo! Personals to attempt to find a nice guy. A few weeks went by and finally I found someone who seemed to match up well with my values and interests. I took the first move and decided to subscribe in order to send him an email. Days later I received a response that he was interested.

We talked online for several weeks to get to know one another. After communicating through hours of Instant Messaging conversations, we decided to chat on the phone.

Making a quick connection - The next step was our first date on February 1st. After finding out that he lived 50 miles from me, he decided to drive out. When I saw Daniel for the first time, I knew there was an instant special connection. I knew after our first date that I had found my husband-to-be through Yahoo!'s technology. We especially favored being able to match up on our Christian beliefs. We connected quickly and exchanged "I love you" within two weeks of seeing one another.

We fell deeply in love and seven months later we were engaged. We were married in June 2006. I look back and see how quick and easy it was to find love on Yahoo! We communicated, met, dated, became engaged and were married all within 20 months. I want to thank you, Yahoo!, for providing such a promising service. You connected me with my wonderful husband, and married life couldn't be any better!

Success tips from Alicia:

Be optimistic and always hold out hope no matter how long it may take.

Be careful who you communicate with, and try your best to find someone who shares your same values, beliefs and morals.

Try to narrow your search down to the people who match you the best. Do not be desperate. You are worth the wait, so hold on! If you are interested in someone, subscribe so you can email them. That personal message is what caught my husband's eye!

First date: We went to the Claim Jumper restaurant followed by the arcade Gameworks. We also walked around a mall and then went to a movie. We were able to talk a lot and get to know each other better in person.

Success Stories: "I met my best friend, soul mate and partner for life." By Marcy M., 43, Beaverton, Michigan

I have finally met my soul mate and life partner after 43 years. I had used Yahoo! Personals for four years. I met a few people who I dated, and many friends. This time, I was not looking for a relationship -- I had just gotten out of one. I was only looking for a friend. My daughter and I were moving 150 miles away, to try to change our lives. I just wanted to meet someone to show us around, hang around with, and have a friend in our new neighborhood.

Couldn't stop talking - I started chatting with Craig before I moved. Once we started talking we couldn't stop. We found out we had so much in common and it was unbelievable how we even thought the same things, had the same outlook and feelings about life. It was kind of scary how much we thought and felt alike -- it all actually sounded too good to be true. We chatted every day for six weeks before we finally met in person. I took my brother and my daughter with me to the restaurant to meet him for the first time.

Once we met in person, we didn't stop seeing each other, and we were together almost every day. We discovered we did not want to be just friends and had found love. One month later we moved in together, and one year later we were married. May 27, 2006, was our wedding date. We wrote our own vows and said a thank you to Yahoo!. We had a beautiful day, and all our friends and family were there. I want to thank you, Yahoo!, for making my move the best move of my life and for helping me to meet my best friend, soul mate, and partner for life.

Success tips from Marcy:
Don't give out personal information. When you find someone you are interested in, make your first meeting in a public place. Have someone else with you or let someone know where you will be, and call them before and after the meeting. I never had any bad luck, but we all know there are not so good people out there. Caution is best!

Talk for a while before you plan to meet, don't be in a hurry. Really try to get to know someone through chatting. You can find out a lot about a person.

First date: We went to a restaurant and had dinner and a drink.

Success Stories: "I almost deleted Ms. Right!" By Paul S., Goose Creek, South Carolina

As a single full-time father of two, I didn't have time to go out and meet new people. And you get tired of the bar scene anyway. My best friend suggested Yahoo! Personals. I signed up just to see if I would get any replies.

When I started out, I was open to meeting all kinds of women, and my profile reflected that. But I found it difficult to connect with women who weren't parents themselves. They just didn't understand what I was going through.

Changed my profile - After a few months, I decided to be more specific. I updated my profile to say I wanted to meet only women who also had children. The responses slowed down, but those who did reply could relate to my situation.

Each week I received updates of potential matches and only emailed a few people. To be honest, I was so busy that after a while I began deleting most of the updates. One day I received my update and marked it for deletion. For some reason I had to rush out of the house and never deleted the update. When I returned home and checked my email, I decided to look at the profiles on the update. As I read one, I was shocked. It was worded almost identically to mine. She was a single mother of two and wanted someone who understands children.

Fell in love with her personality - Sharolyn and I emailed each other for about two weeks and then exchanged numbers. That first night we talked from 9 until 3:30 in the morning. Every night for the next few weeks, we spoke on the phone for at least three hours. I fell in love with her personality before I ever met her in person. We finally set plans for our first date....WOW!!!! It was love at first sight for both of us. That night was the best night of my life. I had found the woman of my dreams.

Sharolyn and I were married on June 27. Now we live with our new family - her two kids and my two kids. I remember telling my mother, 'I want to find someone who makes me forget about the everyday hustle and bustle, who makes me smile from ear to ear.'" I found her. Sharolyn inspires me. Ever since our first date, I have been writing poems to her about whatever is in my heart at the time.

Meet Sharolyn and Paul up close and personal: See their video

Tips from Paul
Profile Creation: Use the "About Me" section in your profile to tell people who you really are. Write from the heart and show some feeling. Get specific about your likes and dislikes. You'll attract more successful matches.

Dating for Single Parents: Let your relationship grow before introducing your children. When you do reach that point, kids are your best barometer if it's "right." They will see the person for who they really are. My daughter was always jealous of the women I dated, but she warmed up to Sharolyn right away.

Read Your Matches By Mail: Check every email update. You just never know who you might find. Take it from me -- I almost deleted Ms. Right!

Take Your Time: When you get many email responses quickly, it's tempting to fall in love fast.

Don't jump into an exclusive relationship. Explore all your options - that's what this is about, meeting new people.

Being Single Getting You Down? The 10 best things you can do to pick yourself up By Judy Bolton and Wendy Bolton Floyd

You may be feeling down about being single right now, thinking that you must have a partner beside you to go out and have some fun. But remember, you used to have fun before you ever started dating, so you know you are a fun person.

What's a single person to do?

Here are 10 things that are more fun to do while you're single:

1. Get a makeover.

2. Book your dream vacation.

3. Go shopping, but no excessive shopping.

4. Go to a spa.

5. Do physical activities to get endorphins going. Do things you have been yearning to try (rock climbing, hiking or skydiving).

6. Treat yourself to junk and comfort foods.

7. Speak with friends and trusted family members about your feelings.

8. Sign up for classes.

9. Challenge yourself to participate in activities that most perceive as couple activities, such as going to the movies or dining out.

10. Meet new people, but don't start a new romantic relationship too early. Try online dating or speed dating.

The 10 Best Things About Being Single By Wendy Bolton Floyd and Judy Bolton

Singles often feel left out in our couple-driven society. Whenever you're tempted to feel down because of your singularity, remember these reasons why flying solo can be the best way to go:

1. You can make last-minute plans with your friends and stay out all night if you want.

2. You can lie on both sides of your bed and have all the covers to yourself.

3. You can flirt with the opposite sex without someone saying, "Who are you looking at?"

4. You can make your own decisions.

5. You don't have to remember your significant other's birthday or anniversary.

6. You have no one to clean up after.

7. You can leave the toilet seat permanently up if you're a man, or permanently down if you're a woman.

8. You can make a list of things you always wanted to do...and actually do them.

9. You can listen to your favorite radio station in the car.

10. You can actually hold on to the remote control.

Worth listening: Someday by Nina

Someday, you're gonna realize

One day, you'll see this through my eyes

By then I won't even be there, I'll be happy somewhere

Even if I cared I know you don't really see my worth

You think you're the last guy on earth

Well, I've got news for you I know I'm not that strong

But it won't take long, won't take long

CHORUS

'Cause someday, someone's gonna love me

The way I wanted you to need me

Someday, someone's gonna take your place

One day, I'll forget about you

You'll see, I won't even miss you

Someday, someday Right now, I know you can tell I'm down and I'm not doin' well

But one day, these tears

They will all run dry I won't have to cry sweet goodbye

CHORUS

'Cause someday, someone's gonna love me

The way I wanted you to need me

Someday, someone's gonna take your place, Ooh

One day, I'll forget about you

You'll see, I won't even miss you

Someday, I know someone's gonna be there

Someday, someone's gonna love me

The way I wanted you to need me

Someday, someone's gonna take your place

One day, I'll forget about you

You'll see, I won't even miss you

Someday, someday

11 Things Women Don't Know About Men - Plus one thing they probably do know, but won't admit By Evan Marc Katz

1. Getting angry at us for not reading your mind is like getting angry at yourself for not being able to fly. It's not just futile, it's physically impossible.

2. Yes, we do think Jessica Alba is hot. Sometimes we're even dumb enough to admit it.

3. Don't ask us to understand your shoe fetish. Asking us to respect it is even sort of pushing it.

4. You do look good without makeup, just not as good as you look with it.

5. Ever notice how we don't fight with our male friends? That's why we get so frustrated when we fight with you.

6. You care what you're wearing infinitely more than we do. In fact, if you're naked when you open the front door, you won't hear an argument from us.

7. You don't like to get hit on in public, you don't want to date online and you don't want to be set up on blind dates. Tell us if sending messenger pigeons is an appropriate way of courting. Because if it is, we're all over it.

8. There should a statute of limitations on stupid things that we said that can come back to haunt us. I propose 24 hours.

9. Cooking dinner for a man is like buying flowers for a woman, except it takes a lot more time, effort and thought for you to do it. Thanks. We appreciate it.

10. We actually like your girly pet-names for us, but please, not in front of the guys!

11. Just because we like looking at the women in Maxim doesn't mean we want to actually converse with the women in Maxim. Not for long, anyway.

12. Your nice guy friends are the most reliable source for telling you if your new boyfriend's a jerk. And he probably is. (By the way, you might want to consider marrying that nice guy who's giving you advice about the jerk.)

10 Secrets About Men By Evan Marc Katz

Esquire magazine has female celebrities telling us "10 Things Men Don't Know About Women." Here's my take on what they and their sisters don't know about men.

1. You don't want to be judged for your looks; we don't want to be judged for our wallets. Unless we're ugly and have lots of money. Then it's OK.

2. You're not the only person who likes to be called "sexy."

3. Saying "I love you" is a major step in a man's life. That's why we wait for you to take that step first.

4. We are not being cheap when we make $35,000 a year and can't afford to pay every single date. We are merely being practical.

5. A guy who spends too much time in the gym is making up for something else that's lacking. Unfortunately, you can't figure out what it is until it's too late.

6. Don't get mad at us because we don't remember what you were wearing on our first date, or the angle of the light during our first kiss. We were probably drunk.

7. You're good in bed if you make us feel like stallions.

8. Jealousy isn't a sign that you love us more, it's a sign that you trust us less.

9. Hanging up on us is a surefire way to make sure we go to bed mad.

10. We're sorry. Whatever it is, we're sorry.

Are "Should" and "Ought" Blocking Your Path to Love? - How to overcome three intentional roadblocks to love By Kathryn Lord

Have you heard yourself saying things like "I should be thinking about my Sweetheart 24/7 or I must not be in love" or "I should know if he (or she) is the right one for me"? Or how about "We should have... (fill in the blank: the same sense of humor, a similar background, or compatible taste in furniture)"?

I find that lots of singles have rules that guide their love life. Some rules make good sense (like only dating people who are really single and available, economically stable, and live within the law). But many rules are unrealistic, harsh, or based on romantic myths. Then these singles end up comparing their dates with their guidelines, sensible or not, and making life decisions that have enormous consequences.

I am a romance coach, but I have also been a psychotherapist for over 30 years. I learned long ago to listen carefully to the language my clients use when they talk about themselves and their lives. In particular, I'd watch for the words "should" and "ought."What's wrong with 'should' and 'ought'

While exceedingly and commonly used, "should" and "ought" could easily be eliminated from our vocabulary. At the very least, we would all feel a lot better. Should and ought are guilt-producing words: "I should spend more time with my mother," "I really ought to lose some weight." The sayer doesn't really intend to do what he is shoulding or oughting. If so, he'd say, "I will spend more time with Mom," or "I'm going to start dieting today."

Shoulding and oughting are like giving yourself a lash on the back: You are punishing yourself with your "I should" or "I ought" statements. Your guilt is eased with your punishment, making it possible to go on with your life, while never following through with what you said you should or ought to do.

In the case of love, shoulds and oughts give us a way out when we need it, just like being picky. Looking for love is loaded with anxiety: "What if it doesn't work?" "What if I find out I don't really love her?" "What if he finds out about (you fill in the blank)?" When your anxiety screams for relief, pulling out a good old should or ought can provide your escape hatch.Top 'shoulds' and 'oughts':

Road blocks to love - Let's look at some common shoulds and oughts more closely, so that we can see the errors in thinking:

1. "I should be thinking about my Sweetheart 24/7 or I must not be in love." Odd as it may sound, some people never feel the intoxicating sensations we think of as "being in love." The ability to fall in love is on a continuum: Some people fall in and out of love very easily, some people never do. Most of us are somewhere in between. Those people who never "fall in love" are still quite capable of loving and forming relationships. If you find yourself waiting for the "in love" sensation which never comes, the "I should be thinking about my Sweetheart 24/7 or I must not be in love" could keep you permanently single.

2. "I should know if he (or she) is the right one for me." Really? How? Of course there are better or worse choices, but assuming that your date meets your criteria of "good person" and the two of you enjoy each other, seem compatible, and don't irritate the heck out of each other, what more do you need? This "should" may be connected to your "falling in love" ability: If you are able to "fall in love," that biochemical process (it's like being drunk or high) helps surge you forward into a permanent relationship and over any questions or doubts.

3. "We should share the same ... (fill in the blank)." Why? One of the wonderful parts about finding a life partner is all the things that he or she knows and you don't, or is and you are not. Think of what you can learn from the differences. Or what you won't have to learn because your partner already knows. Yes, some similarity is good, but why would you want someone just like you? You may be pretty terrific, but how boring would it be to be married to your carbon copy! So pay attention to your inner thoughts about love and your dates. If "should" or "ought" crop up in your thinking, take note and challenge yourself. You may have set up a condition that is road-blocking your search for love.

P.S. If worrying about a new partner discovering some secret of yours is keeping you from pursuing love, find out how to deal with your worst in my article "Do You Have a Secret? How to Tell Your Sweetheart Your Worst." I'll send it when you subscribe to my free email newsletter at Find-A-Sweetheart.com.

5 Ways to Get Into a Man's Head - To get into his heart, start by getting into his head By Caroline Presno, Ed.D., P.C.C.

How many times have you wondered, "What is this guy thinking!" If you want to get into a man's heart, you have to start by getting into his head. The problem is many men have a hard time being open about their thoughts and feelings. Armed with the following five techniques, a man will feel more comfortable opening up to you, so you can develop better communication with him and, ultimately, enjoy a better relationship.

1. Let him know you care about what he is saying. A man won't open up to you unless he knows you care. One of the best ways to convey this to him is through your body language. To show your interest, unfold your arms, lean into him and allow your eyes to meet his in a natural way. Let him know that you get what he is saying with a nod of the head or a raise of your brow. Also, try "mirroring," which means that you absorb his body movement and convey it back to him. So if he looks stressed telling a story, you look stressed as well. It's like saying, "I feel what you are feeling. I'm putting myself in your shoes."

2. Be nonjudgmental. No man is going to let you into his real thoughts if he senses he is going to be criticized or put down. Leave out comments like "How could you do something like that?" or "That's not something I would do." Give him the freedom to express himself openly and honestly without judgment and you'll be surprised at all that comes out. You don't have to condone or agree with everything he says. You're simply creating an environment where he has the freedom to say it.

3. Don't use the word "why." When psychotherapists are in training, they are often taught to erase the word "why" from their vocabulary, because "why" questions frequently sound negative and critical. When you ask a man, "Why did you do it that way?" it can come across as "Are you stupid, why on earth would you choose to do it that way?" Now he's on the defensive before you even finish the sentence. Practice using substitutes such as "Tell me more about it" instead of "Why did you do it?"

4. Never say, "We need to talk." Nothing makes a man want to talk less than hearing "We need to talk." It conveys the message that he's done something wrong, he's in trouble for it, and you are going to let him have it. He will shut down before the conversation starts. The best way to bring up an important topic is to ease into it. Choose a time when you are both doing a small task together such as light cleaning or cooking, which takes the harsh focus away from "the talk" and will make him more comfortable. Remember not to approach him while he is involved in something important to him like Monday night football. (Heare are some other ideas about dealing with a football fan.)

5. Learn how to really listen. Chances are you always listen to him but you don't always hear him. How many times have you had something else on your mind as he is talking to you? Or maybe you are thinking about what you're going to say next instead of paying full attention. It's important to stay in the "hear" and now with him, rather than letting your own thoughts or the outside world intrude. A man can sense when you really want to hear what he has to say -- true listening is the best way to get him talking true to you.