We are Living in a Digital World, and I am an Analog Girl

Inspired by my sister and future brother-in-law's burgeoning relationship (and I gotta give Madge some credit too for the song hook), I'd like to tackle the issue of new media in today's dating world. There is certainly no lack of ways to communicate your feelings with the opposite sex - Twitter, Facebook, myspace, AIM, texting, picture messaging, need I go on?? Certainly, in many situations, the old 'puter has brought many couples together that might not otherwise have met, thanks to online dating and chat rooms. However, these means of communication are not necessarily the best drivers when a relationship is just leaving the proverbial garage.

Why? Well I don't have to tell you that the only way to truly get to know someone is by spending real, quality time with them. Time with them out in public, time with them in groups of friends, time with them around their family, etc. That's the only way to see someone's true colors. As much as they LOL at your jokes or promise to BRB when you're texting, it's not real. It's only real when you're actually together. So, how do we get together, Jordan?

I get lots of emails from girls asking how in the heck they're supposed to meet a guy if they can't get out there, shake their thang, and post pics and captions about it afterwards. I say, if a guy is interested, he will track down your contact info. Once he tracks down said info, he will most likely engage in a series of texts, emails, messages, phone calls, or pokes (really Facebook? no one likes that). If your guy's a little clueless, then it's YOUR job to get him off the computer and into your life. Feel free to drop hints about a coffee shop you love, or a new little Italian restaurant you've heard is great. He should take it from there and ask you out on a real life date. Any guy that's worth your time will WANT to take you out! Believe it or not, guys that like you want to have real conversations with you. Not text messages, not emails, real conversations. So even if your relationships started out online, it's never too late to bring it into the real world.

But is it possible to have a completely analog relationship in a digital world? Yes! Want proof? My sister (who is unbelievably gorgeous and could have any guy she wanted) chose to get rid of Facebook, AIM, and anything else that requires a username/password combination several years ago. She decided that she didn't want to meet her future husband through myspace and refused to accept any offers that weren't in person. A tall order, you may say! Well, she just so happened to meet a guy that felt the same way, and within 3 weeks they were discussing rings, babies, and wedding colors, and have now successfully cultivated a completely media-free relationship, void of any emails, Facebook posts, relationship status updates or tweets. Hear this: you certainly don't have to take this route - I didn't and many people with great relationships don't - but, I want you to know that the option is there. And should you choose to accept this mission, it doesn't mean that you'll end up an old spinster with mean cats.

Cheers!