How an AU Tiger and a UGA Bulldog made the Perfect Match

Since moving to Atlanta from a private university with a less-than-stellar football team, I learned one thing fast: southerners are serious about college football. Lesson number two? One of the oldest rivalries in the South is between the Auburn University Tigers and the University of Georgia Bulldogs. We’ve had clients turn down dates because they felt disloyal for fraternizing with “the enemy.” (As a matchmaker, this seems pretty extreme-but then again I’ve never had that game day experience of a big state school.) So, for all you college sports fanatics, here’s proof that true love conquers all.

A previous client of ours sent these orange roses to his wife-who he meet through our service-to celebrate the 2 year anniversary of the couple’s first date; it also just happened to be the weekend of the Auburn/Georgia game. What a kind, thoughtful gesture from one of our favorites. We could not be happier to have played a part in making this introduction!

So what can we learn from the happy couple? If you’re serious about finding love, be prepared for it to look a little different from what you had imaged. Be open. Sure, it would be great to date someone who loves the same teams and shares the same hobbies. But what’s better is dating someone who loves and respects you for who you are. After all, people aren’t manufactured…and there’s nothing like a good rivalry to keep things interesting.

Special thanks to our couple for the update.

Should You Become Facebook Official?

Check out this survey before you pop "the question."

And by that I mean the "do-you-want-to-be-Facebook-official" question.

Your grandparents had "want to go steady?" Your parents knew "will you be my girlfriend?" This seems to be the exclusivity question of our generation. If you've watched The Social Network then you know the importance of  the relationship status; Mark Zuckerberg makes a point of adding this category to each FB profile before launching his site. You should make a point of reading the relationship stastics below to learn how social media has changed the dating game.

*Ask us about our national date coaching program- 888-897-8285, coaching@1on1matchmaking.com.

Click on the link to read the entire article by Lab42

Just Say No to Bad Dates

Is there a polite way to turn down a date? For the most part, I support the idea that you should give everyone a fair shot. But, then again, there are always exceptions. So, how do you say no to someone you’re not interested in? You say it quickly and directly. If you’ve declined a date with this person more than once, then it’s time to be blunt. Rachel Greenwald, author of Find A Husband After 35, suggests using language such as this: “I’m sorry, but there is no chance at all for us. Please stop asking me.” Pay attention to your tone-the trick is to not sound too severe or too sappy. The words may seem a bit harsh, but you shouldn’t waste your time or energy getting bogged down by someone who’s not compatible. Greenwald advises that you soften the blow by acknowledging the person’s positive characteristics, or suggesting that he/she would be a good fit for another friend of yours. If the person reacts badly: c’est la vie. It’s better to honest upfront and to avoid hurt feelings down the road.

Meet Your Matchmaker: Reagan

As 8at8's new Director of Membership, I could not be more excited to join the world of matchmaking!  Having been in sales and recruiting for the last 4+ years, this is an exciting new adventure where I can still use some of my already-honed skills!  In addition, I have had my share of ups, downs, and all-arounds in the world of dating... so I may know a thing or two about this!

I was born in Atlanta, grew up in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and have been back in Atlanta for 7 years - after spending 4 wonderful years at THE University of Georgia.  I am a huge DAWGS fan, and love going back to Athens for games in the Fall!  I spend my free time at the gym, having wine with friends, eating at new, fun restaurants with my boyfriend, traveling, and going to concerts.  I have been told I can talk to a wall, and I love meeting new people and hearing their life stories!

My girlfriends and I have shared our fair share of stories regarding the dating scene in ATL.  Some have been married off, some are settling down, and some don't ever plan to!  A few things I have learned that I think are worthy of sharing are... be yourself!  Don't fake it, or you will never be able to be the REAL you with that person.  That would sure get old fast.  You are awesome as you come - embrace it.  And -- when you meet someone, don't force it!  If a person doesn't seem like a good match for you now, they may never be.  Give it a few months, then move on!  Time flies whether you are having fun or not!  And lastly -- get out of the house.  You will not meet the love of your life from your sofa!  Get out, meet new people, and maximize your odds in life and in love -- like we do at 8at8!

For more tales from this city girl, you can follow me on my lifestyle blog at: ladolcevita-reagmich.blogspot.com!

Show Our Troops Some Love

It's not too late to participate. Mail your letters today!! You can also drop off your handwritten notes and pictures at our location in Buckhead.

For more information visit: The Bert Show's BIG THANK YOU

For the Ladies... from the Millionaire Matchmaker & an Intern

I once read an Audrey Hepburn quote which really struck me. The entire thing reeked of positivity, but the part that stayed in my mind was a line which read “happy girls are the prettiest girls.”

Yeah, right you say-but hear me out on this one.

Looking back, this has been particularly true in my dating experience. It wasn’t until I cleared the emotional bagged left over from a past relationship that my dating life really started to soar.  I had to consciously abandon my need for a man. Once I did, I felt much more at ease with myself. I took the pressure off and my dates became so much more enjoyable.

Why? I had not employed any new strategies for meeting men, but I was getting more and better dates.

Patti Stanger says it best: “Men love happy women. It’s as simple as that…The truth behind the law of attraction is that like attracts like. During my matchmaking events I often see cheerful women who are not classically beautiful attracting more men than the supermodels in the room. Why? Because the supermodels are more likely to be starving and insecure, and don’t exactly exude joie de vivre.”

That’s it? So this change was merely the result of an attitude adjustment? In short, yes. I had appeared desperate. I now seemed cool and fun. Men love to date cool and fun.

Easier said than done. I was lucky because I started working for Eight at Eight shortly after my bad break-up, and the girls in the office were there to coach me through. Patti calls this transition stage “dating detox.” Whether you use your pet, girlfriends, dating coach, or therapist to get to there, one thing is certain: happiness is very attractive.

Here’s to the better dates ahead!

Most Wonderful Time of the Year for Dating

See our recent interview with up & coming website Best Daily Dates.  We love that BDD focuses on getting singles face-to-face and out on dates.

http://bestdailydates.com/blog/eight-at-eight-dinner-parties-for-singles/

October is a great month for dating. Nights are getting colder, darker, longer-but the dating scene is RED HOT.  Many daters start thinking about who they'll be snuggling up with this winter.  If you're single and ready for a relationship, then now's the time to put yourself out there. By the time December rolls around your schedule will be filled with parties, family obligations, and travel. Dating someone new will be last thing on your holiday to-do list. Make the extra effort to date this month. When the winter winds blow and you're tucked inside with your new flame, you'll be happy you did.