The moment has arrived! With lockdown restrictions gradually being eased around the world, you may finally be able to meet up with someone you’ve been chatting to online. But of course, in many places, we still have to practise social distancing and avoid being inside or in crowds – so it’s time to get creative with your dates.

For many of us around the globe, 2020 hasn’t gone to plan. Perhaps we’d hoped to be further along our dating journey by this point, but coronavirus has derailed our dreams. The good news is we have almost half of 2020 left. So why not use this point to create a positive vision for the second half of the year and to get clarity on your next steps to a fulfilling relationship?

A tricky thing, whether you’re single or dating, is the temptation to compare your life, status or relationship with other people’s. Whether it’s strangers on social media, influencers, people you see on the street or even family and friends, it can be easy to assume others have it better. If you want to find love, seeing happy couples beaming on romantic breaks, picture-perfect proposals and lavish gifts with captions of “my one and only” or “so blessed” can be hard to take.

The Coronavirus has affected all of our lives. For some, this pause is actually a welcome break from the craziness of regular life, whereas for others, it spells a time of uncertainty and frustration, or worse. The situation can seem hopeless and focusing on just the negative news and information, can lead to a strong temptation to give up hope and succumb to the negativity. You may be struggling at the moment because you are not able to meet up with a loved one, or perhaps date as you would like to, but, I want you to know that it is possible to have hope in the midst of all of this.

Now restrictions are easing and we’re being encouraged to venture out again, how can dating be approached safely? Our usual, time-tested advice is to meet in person within two weeks of making a connection online but that’s been impossible! Instead we’ve seen more and more conversations online and the innovative ways members have used technology to develop connections, date and get to know each other better. Our video chat option has allowed members to talk ‘face to face’ without leaving the site and online events have created fun opportunities to meet and mix.

Kate and Philip met on Christian Connection in 2019 and married earlier this year. Little did they know life was about to change in more ways than one. Kate tells their story…

If you’ve just started messaging or are in the early stages of getting to know someone, not being able to meet for regular dates can be tricky. Video chat, calls and messaging can help bridge the gap, but that trickiness can be multiplied when it comes to marking a special occasion – a birthday or a new job. How do you celebrate with someone new when distance is an issue? We have some ideas for fun occasions…

So you’ve made a new connection, the conversation is flowing, but where do you go from here? You could chat on the phone, move the conversation to instant messenger, or maybe you’re ready to meet in person. But now there’s a new option – video chat. If you’re both online, you can now easily switch from messaging to speaking face-to-face within your Christian Connection mailbox. Here are 5 great reasons why you might like to try the new video chat feature.