Quantcast
breaking news

Logging On For Love

By: Reporter: Channing Barker Photographer: Sean Leach
Updated: February 16, 2013
watch video
More and more people, 40 million to be exact, are logging on for love. 

Folks in Northwest Arkansas are no exception.

Meet Mike and Deanna Wright, just two of the estimated 29 million paired on Match.com.

"We still have an argument about this today, but he emailed me," said Deanna.

"I think there was a button that you could wink at those you thought were interesting and I'm pretty certain I sent her a wink," rebutted Mike.

The couple met online in October 2009.

"We emailed and then I gave him my phone number and we texted a lot and I remember the first time he called me. I was a little worried about answering the phone. I remember I was pacing around the house. It was like I was talking to my best friend already, because we had gotten to know each other so well already through text messaging and emails," said Deanna.

Two years later, Mike got down on one knee.

Deanna beamed.

"He's truly the perfect man for me! It just wouldn't have happened without online dating. There's no way I would have met Mike if it was just going to a bar or going to the mall or going to the grocery store," she said.

Recently divorced with kids and a busy schedule, Match.com worked for Mike, too.

"With technology this day and age, with everybody's busy work schedule, it's a bonus. It's a win, win for everybody. Being upfront and being open, I found to be very easy to do and just able to respond when you had time and there wasn't any pressure for me," said Mike.

But sometimes, Cupid's online arrow misses.

"It's not like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in "You've Got Mail. That's not just how it works." Meet Bill Horton. He tried his hand at internet dating.

"I'd been single for a few years, wasn't meeting anyone through friends or locally. I thought 'Why not give it a try?' It's just like any other dating," said Horton."I've had some good experience on it, but by and large, it wasn't a great experience."

"I gave it a whirl and met someone. We date for almost a year, actually. It was somewhat long distant. It just didn't work out. We're still friends, so I've made some great friends, but no love interest," said Horton.

Bill said from now on, he'll choose an instant, in person spark over the search for a spouse on a site.

"For me, I can tell in five or ten minutes whether it's someone I'm going to click with when you're sending emails back and forth. You don't really know," said Horton.

For those still looking for love in The Natural State, it could work.

Bill said he would tell someone looking to meet someone in Northwest Arkansas, keep your options open. You never know! Online dating may work for you," said Horton.

Deanna and Mike Wright are proof of that.

"I think this is by far the best way you can find somebody. There's no reason in this day and age for people to be alone if you want to be with somebody," said Deanna.

"I would absolutely say you could find love online without a doubt. I did and it's a beautiful thing," said Mike.

An estimated 13.7 million Americans used versions of online dating apps in 2012.

Comments

Related Content

SPRINGDALE, AR -- This guy's getting a bullet proof vest and it's all thanks to passionate, pup-lovin' students....

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS -- The Northwest Arkansas Women's Shelter needs your help giving people a fresh start. ...

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- On Friday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to stop a new Arkansas law restricting abortions after 12-weeks....

TULSA, OK--Multiple callers dialed 9-1-1 Tuesday evening when a boat carrying eight young adults, including two University of Arkansas students smashed into a houseboat at Yacht...

SALLISAW, OK -- In March, a bald eagle was found dead in front of a Sallisaw hotel, its body had been mutilated.  Now investigators are offering up a $2,500 reward for information that to...

BENTON COUNTY, AR-- Flash flooding from early May storms broke a culvert and opened a sink hole in Pea Ridge overnight Friday....

Candice Glover Wins Season 12 of American Idol....

A 6-year-old child is dead almost one week after being stabbed by a relative in Johnson County....

FAYETTEVILLE, AR- The City of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and the Fayetteville Forward Historic and Heritage Resources Action Group are sponsoring a historic walking...

FAYETTEVILLE, AR-- Two public input sessions regarding the Rupple Road Extension Project will be held in May, and the public is invited and encouraged to attend.  ...

 
Women of NWA Submission
 
Women of NWA
End
      Page 3 of 3
 
 
 
©1998 - 2013 Nwahomepage.com
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved