Love is in the air! But with our technology-centric world, online dating is becoming more and more popular. #noshame
In the Class of 2019 alone, there are not one, not two, but THREE couples who met online–and on the Chapman Class of 2019 Facebook, no less!
We got the opportunity to interview two of the three couples to ask them a few questions that most people might inquire when they hear that your significant other was someone you met virtually:
Meet Natalie and David:
“It was just a Facebook friend request at first.” It was simple. “I thought he looked like Barney Stinson so I messaged him…and we never stopped talking since.” Natalie Benson claims.
These two lovebirds started off with a casual, you-look-kinda-cute flirtationship.
“It was really quick, maybe two weeks, before we got together.” But then things started getting serious. And continued to be serious when they met for the first time in person five months later.
What’s the most common reaction you get when you tell people you met online?
“‘So you dated her before you met her?’ It’s complicated to explain…We say it’s one step above e-Harmony!”
Do you think you would’ve met at Chapman if you hadn’t met on Facebook?
“We probably wouldn’t have met, we have a pretty big freshman class and those groups form pretty quickly.”
“I didnt want to give up someone I really liked just because I had this idea about how my college experience was supposed to be.” Natalie says,”If you find somebody you enjoy spending time with, you should give them the time of day, because you could miss out of something great.”
But they don’t think they’re one in a million! Natalie believes that the online dating culture is only going to expand: “All I can say is, there are some sketchy people out there…so take a chance…but still be careful.”
But David is right there with her: “It’s growing pretty quickly actually. Apparently 54% of people will meet their husband or wife on Facebook. I mean, I did!”
Meet Ashley and Jake:
From New York to NorCal, distance couldn’t keep these two apart: “Our first conversation was really deep and sincere from the start but it was based off of looks at first.” But eventually, their bond was unbreakable: “We just wanted to tell each other about our lives so we would ask each other crazy questions. Like what do you think about human trafficking and it went from there.”
“It was weird because I really, really liked him. I was falling in love with him and I thought it was so inappropriate and was thinking, ‘I couldn’t be doing this’ and ‘I’m going to get hurt’ but I love talking to him and I was so happy talking to him. ”
The couple officially met on May 29th, 2015 on a school had a trip to Disneyland. Jake was interning at True TV at the time so they decided to meet up. “That was the first time we met.” Ashley said,”We had already established that we loved each other and were really excited to see each other. My friends were terrified for me…they thought he would kill me.”
And when it came to opposition from friends and family, there was slim to none: “It was pretty much support all across the board except some skepticism from my mom just because I said I loved her so much and I said I’d marry her. She didn’t really understand,” Jake confesses.
What advice can you give to other relationships that met over the internet?
“Really it comes down to ultimate compatibility, so if you’re with someone and you’re trying to be with them and you have to alter yourself to be with them, that’s really unfortunate and not smart for you and not smart for the other person and it will kick you in the a*s later. Because you know, you know when you meet another person and you’re like ‘Wow! I’ve never met anyone like this!’ that’s the person you should be with. You shouldn’t be with anyone who you’re like “Eh, I love them but they could be this or they could be that”. That shouldn’t happen at all and you’re ultimately setting yourself up for failure.”
So when push comes to shove, love knows no boundaries. You may very well meet your significant other right here at Chapman—or maybe on your next Facebook group. Thanks, Zuckerberg!
(co-written with Christina Cherekdjian)