“Both of us had spent many years looking for the right person, often feeling in tough times that it would never happen. Time and again either of us would be at someone else’s wedding and think: ‘When will it be my turn?’” This is how Charlie and Ruth opened their story when they got in touch to let us know they’d just got married after meeting on Christian Connection. Online dating can bring ups and downs. Couples who meet on Christian Connection often ask to share their stories so that those who are currently dating will be encouraged, and show how they navigated their dating experiences to find each other.

How can we ensure we have a positive experience when dating? That we feel hopeful about the process and willing to continue our search for love, rather than feel depressed, down and ready to give up? Asking yourself some simple questions – a handy pre-dating checklist – can help. These questions are designed to support you to create a virtuous circle in your dating life so that you remain upbeat and enthusiastic, as opposed to being in a painful vicious cycle that leads you to stop dating. Ready to start?

We all know communication is key when it comes to any form of relationship. It’s important to get your point across and be heard but also to listen and pay attention to others. Yet sometimes our communication styles within relationships can be an enigma or polar opposites, leading to miscommunication and a breakdown of understanding. Why is it that there are people you just ‘click’ with, and others that you find really hard work to talk to? And how can this affect dating and romantic relationships?

Messaging has been going well. You want to meet in person and chat more. The classic first date is to ‘meet for a coffee’ – simple to arrange, public and low cost. It’s a great way to test your online connection and whether there’s more to develop without the pressure of a grand setting or long time commitment. But you still want it to go well. First impressions count! So, what could you do that’s a little more interesting than a couple of cappuccinos? Here are some fun, simple first date ideas that make a great alternative to coffee.

Authenticity is the path to a healthy romantic relationship yet sometimes our fear of not being enough or our deep hunger for love stop us from showing up authentically on dates. Perhaps we are scared we’ll be rejected if we reveal our true selves. Maybe we’re afraid our date won’t want to see us again if we’re honest about what we’re looking for in a relationship. How can we instead date authentically and show up as our authentic selves?

You might be forgiven for thinking Valentine’s Day isn’t meant for singles. Aren’t all the cards and flowers in the shops at this time of year designed to celebrate happy couples? Some people choose to avoid the day altogether. But here at Christian Connection, we believe in making Valentine’s Day for everyone – and what better place to celebrate love than a place people come to make important new connections? February is one of our busiest times of year! With so many members ready to meet someone new, it’s a great place to connect with others who haven’t found their perfect match – yet. Maybe this year, that perfect match could be you! So, here are five tips to help you share the love and reach out to someone new, and just maybe you’ll meet next year’s Valentine!

Most of us have some ‘bad date’ experiences and stories that we can tell for entertainment. I know that I have had my fair share of them, from being told not to wear sunglasses (despite it being sunny), to being taken to a bug taxidermy museum (I don’t like bugs!), to becoming an agony aunt on a first date and afterwards being told I didn’t give said person a chance! These dates can be added to life experience and dating experience and we can move onwards and upwards from them, but there’s always that feeling of disappointment. So, what happens if a date doesn’t go to plan? How can you move on from dating disappointment?

Matt and Vicky met on Christian Connection and recently got married. Matt said, “I figured it was time to be proactive in looking for a partner rather than just waiting around. I wanted to use a Christian site as it is in line with my faith and beliefs.” For Vicky, it was a time for change: “I had used Christian Connection previously in my 20s but had taken a number of years out to be intentionally single. I prayed a lot about rejoining CC and felt that God said the time was right.”