Dating Help From Three Matches

Whether it’s online dating or speed dating, I’m a big believer in taking advantage of modern methods for meeting the opposite sex. That said, I’ve always been curious about a more traditional resource – the matchmaker.

I think there’s something endearingly old fashioned about entrusting your romantic fate to an expert, not to mention the appeal of saving time by having potential partners selected for you.

And, as a thirtysomething single, I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with a matchmaking pro and explore where my romantic journey has taken me so far, and where I hope it will lead in the future.

Thanks to their generous invitation, that’s a conversation I’m looking forward to having with the team at Three Matches.

Founded by mother and daughter team Margaux & Nicole, Three Matches connects couples in London, Paris, Tel Aviv, Montreal, Miami as well as here in New York. With blind dates becoming an increasingly rare occurrence in Gotham, it will be fun to find out who Three Matches pairs me up with.

What do you think about matchmakers? Yea or nay?

Coming up…A meet and greet with VH-1 “Tough Love” host Steve Ward and gearing up for my Grand 2010 plan.

A Closer Look At Dating Services

When you live in a city like New York, there’s no shortage of companies promising to connect you with the opposite sex. Meet Over Drinks, It’s Just Lunch and 8 At 8 dinners are among the many dating services available to residents of the Big Apple.

Relentless phone calls from an online dating site I recently scoped out got me to thinking -- might it be time to try one of these services that does the matchmaking for you?

Two of my longtime friends have tried dating service Great Expectations with varying degrees of success. One met several nice guys that she had no romantic chemistry with, while the other is in the midst of her second serious relationship procured through the company.

Now that I’m officially halfway through my thirties, I’m even more open minded when it comes to exploring avenues I haven’t before for meeting my potential soul mate.

I’m going to sign up with Great Expectations -- and maybe a few other dating services too. Because, much like any good job hunt, the search for Mr. Right requires putting yourself out there to as broad an audience as possible. Even if it’s only to polish your dating prowess.

Up next…mingling at a France Tourism soiree in Tribeca and bowling with friends in NYC’s Union Square.

Hope For The Thirty Something Single Gal

This week, two of my 35+ gal pals had big romantic news to share. One got engaged during a Rio getaway with her beau of ten months. The other is smitten with a St. Louis guy she met after moving back to the Midwest just a few weeks ago.

Upon learning about my friends’ happy developments, I couldn’t help thinking about how quickly one’s romantic situation can change -- and feeling renewed hope about my own prospects as I approach turning 35 later this month.

It’s a welcome feeling. Because even in the post-"Sex And The City" era, persistent messaging says that if you’re a thirty something woman, time is running out to find happily ever after.

Carrie Bradshaw and Co: The SATC ladies proved that life and love don’t really start falling into place until your thirties

Last year, a 60-something woman I met in a mall didn’t hesitate to say that the odds are against me since men in their 30’s and 40’s tend to go for women in their 20’s (she‘s not entirely wrong -- I did two May-December romances where I was the young half of the cliché).

Even more telling, though, was the prominent NYC matchmaker who included me in an email blast seeking applicants for an eligible bachelorettes reality show. Upon replying with my vital stats and age (then 33), this is what she told me--

“You sound very eligible so far but the age cut-off is 32 for this project. It is television, as you know.”

Yikes. Thankfully, fate seems to have a much more forgiving timetable for romance than reality TV.

As my good friend Tiffany recently pointed out, Carrie and her brood didn’t get anything they really wanted until after turning 35.

“Get ready,” Tiffany said, “to join all the most interesting, most vivacious, and most beautiful women who are all 35+ because they've finally grown into themselves. Haven't you read all the magazines?"

Thanks for the reminder, Tiff. Look out 35, here I come!