So, We Met Online…

Over the past almost four years, Chris and Erika have shared their trials, tribulations, successes, heartaches, and plenty of advice. And can’t forget the laughs. They can’t thank you enough for being loyal listeners each and every week. They know Sundays won’t be the same, yet all good things must come to an end. 

If you want to reach out, they will still be active on social media, or you can send an email directly to Erika at [email protected].

Best of luck to everyone on their online dating journeys. Erika and Chris will be with you in spirit.

In this week’s episode, which leaves one left to get to episode 100, Erika and Chris re-share what is quite possibly the most epic dating story ever — the one that started this whole journey. They then reflect on some of the more memorable stories and express how much this podcast has meant to them. 

Holding hands, kissing, warm hugs, masked socially distant walks… in this day and age, it’s almost impossible to know how far to go physically on a first date. This week, Erika and Chris re-share some favorite stories about when a first date doesn’t get off the ground, and when it maybe flies too high. 

From birds to dogs to the random chinchilla, when you date someone with a pet, you may also be inviting that critter into your life, whether you like it or not. This week, we re-share a fan-favorite story of a date getting interrupted (this story is not “for the birds”), and then Erika and Chris discuss the implications on a relationship when someone treats your pet differently from how you might. 

Isn’t it annoying when someone makes an untrue assumption about you? And isn’t it even worse if this happens on a first date? Today, Erika shares a story of one of her own dates gone wrong due to a faulty assumption. Then, Erika and Chris discuss the repercussions of such assumptions and how simply asking a question is a better approach.

Ghosting, standing someone up, ignoring someone… all bad habits. This week, Erika and Chris discuss a few stories — some new, some old — and talk about not just ghosting but also how the person at the receiving end feels. Whether after one date or one year, communication is the key to mature dating.

“If you’re a fan of 45, swipe left.” “If you call yourself liberal, move along.” “If you don’t vote, then you won’t get a date with me.” We see things like this all the time in online dating profiles, especially these days. But should you put your political preferences in the profile? And if so, is there a way to do that without sounding negative? Erika and Chris talk politics this week — the dos, the don’ts, the rights, the lefts, and everything in between. 

If you’re thinking about having a long-distance relationship, there are many factors that come into play, but the most important by far is each participant’s willingness to try. In this week’s episode, we re-share one of Erika’s craziest online dating stories (think OkCupid, Florida, sarcasm, and toilets), and then Erika and Chris discuss what it means to connect with someone who doesn’t live nearby. In the end, is a simple conversation always worth it? That’s in the eye of the dater. 

Oh, that pesky thing we call expectations. Many people go online to find “the one,” or at least a long-term partner. That goal is fine, of course. But what’s not fine is measuring “success” to that standard, much of which is not in our control. Online dating is not a spouse-finder, soulmate producer, or magic wand; it is simply a tool, or vehicle — much like the gym — that is available for use in order to meet people. With this tool still comes work, time, and personal accountability. And each and every date you go on is part of the process and the journey… so don’t discount that. 

Have you ever been on a date, and it seems like the person you’re out with has no idea who you are? Maybe they ask you questions that were already answered in your profile, or maybe they overlooked a dealbreaker in the profile. Whatever it is, it can get awkward! This week, Erika and Chris re-share some stories about dates gone wrong simply because the other person neglected to re-read (or read in the first place) what you had written.