I decided to glance through my old email account this morning. It had been a while since I checked it, so I wanted to see if anything changed. As I began skimming through the emails I wrote in 2006 and 2005 I began having flashbacks of when I first discovered Brad. He and I met in a very high-tech, modern way: over the Internet. Memories began to resurface as I started searching my inbox for the very first message I wrote Brad; the first message that started everything. I smiled when I came across it. I can't believe how quickly time has passed since that day.I decided to join a few dating sites in the fall of 2004. Having healed emotionally from a previous relationship that lasted for a very long time (4 1/2 years), I was ready to start a new one. To be honest, I only half expected that I would find someone on the Internet, but I thought it would be fun to see who was out there. I still went on dates with young men in my area, and I made sure to attend all the single adult activities and dances. Still, every day I would take a couple of hours of my time to hop on the Internet and go "shopping" for young men. I would glance at different profiles, smile at some and cringe at others, and occasionally write to guys I found interesting. Some would write back and some wouldn't. I learned not to expect too much.
I happened to bump into Brad's profile entirely by chance on March 19, 2005. I saw his picture, his age, and his location, and thought to myself, 'He's good looking, perfect age, and lives in Utah. That sounds encouraging.' I clicked on his photo and began reading more of his information: 29 years old, 6 foot 2, employed, divorced, two children . . . Oh no! I did not want to marry someone who was divorced with children. Too much drama for me. Still, I decided to read his profile anyway, to give him a chance. That was when my interest peaked.
Brad wrote a wonderful description about himself. He wrote about his hobbies, his family life, his children, and his testimony of the gospel. I was taken aback with how much detail he added to his profile, and how perfect his grammar was (you learn to be surprised by this on single sites). I think the part that touched me the most was the way Brad wrote about his children. Being a Child Development major and working with children for many years, I knew good parents when I saw them. I knew without doubt that Brad was a wonderful father to his children and that he loved them very much.
I decided to write Brad immediately after I read his profile. I did not expect him to reply back, so I tried to make my message short and simple. I wanted to let him know that I was impressed with what he wrote, but at the same time I did not want to overwhelm him or scare him off by asking questions. So I wrote this message:
"I loved your profile, Brad. :) It isn't everyday I come across something so well written as that. You sound intelligent, spiritual, talented, and I can tell that you're a great father. I think it's excellent that you're encouraging your son to progress in his artwork, and that you recognize his potential and talent. Very awesome! Keep it up! Take care, and I hope you have a great day! :) Becky"
Brad responded to my message a few hours later, which flattered me and impressed me, so I replied back asking him questions about himself. It did not take long before our email messages grew to daily correspondences, which grew to hourly chats on the instant messenger, which grew to us finally meeting in person, which ended up with us becoming engaged and then married.
One advantage of Internet dating is that Brad and I have an archive of our courtship recorded in black in white. I've gone through my old email account multiple times and laughed at the things we said, mainly because it's humorous to see how much we've changed. I am very grateful that I wrote Brad my short little email, and that I made the effort to broaden my horizons by giving him a chance. He is a wonderful husband and father and I love him very much.
"I love technology... but not as much as you, you see... but I still love technology, always and forever. Always and forever."
