Meet Your Mate

Top 10 Places to Meet Your Mate
By Erika Jackson

This, I’m sure, has been a long time coming. Gentlemen everywhere have been swinging and striking out when trying to find that special someone. The interesting thing is that there really are men out there who want to settle down, get married, and have a family. If you’re one of them, this information is just for you.

I went online to several discussion forums in which I participate and posed a question. I asked women, “Where do you hang out?” Then, I rephrased the question so they would be sure to give answers you want to hear. I asked, “Where can your ideal mate find you?” You know what? They answered. I have listed the top ten answers. Then, I even included the very specific responses I received from some of the women.

Gentlemen, they’re out there waiting for you in discussion forums, praising the Lord, handling their business, and more. Check out the Top 10 Places to Meet Your Mate!

1.     Church
Church is the number one answer. Several women said that their ideal mate will find them about their Father’s business. They are purpose driven and have a zeal for God. Some of them are at the church more than just on Sunday and midweek service. There’s choir rehearsal, ushers meetings, children’s ministry, so much to choose from, and you’ll find women participating in all of them.

2.     Online
I found innumerable discussion forums online. A friend of mine recently told me that her son frequents the ORU alumni discussion forum where he met his future bride. You can do a search for a forum pertaining to your career, hobbies, or interests and find many discussions happening where you can meet your ideal mate.

3.     Work
The UPS guy has it made! He gets to deliver packages to many eligible women everyday. What about your work? You may run into women from time to time in your working environment who are prime candidates. They probably wouldn’t ever mention it to you, but you never know.

4.     Laundromat
Everyone’s got to have clean laundry. Even the sweetest young ladies make that trip once a week or so. It could be as easy as asking her how to operate the dryer or how much fabric softener to pour into the machine. At least you know she’s clean.

5.     Grocery Store
There’s a story about a young lady who was checking out at the grocery store when the clerk, a man, said, “I’ll bet you’re single.” She said, “Is it because of the single pack of cheese, the single bunch of broccoli, or the quart of milk?” He said, “It’s because you’re ugly.” I know. That was mean! Check out her cart, though. She may give you clues about her status.

6.     Movies
Single women sometimes go to the movies alone. I know when I was single, I used to hang out at the cheap movie theater all the time. I love watching movies, and not having someone to go with didn’t stop me. You’ll find women there alone or with their girl friends. Don’t be shy.

7.     Restaurant
I hang out at McDonald’s, but that doesn’t count. Since women like to eat out, they will treat themselves to a good meal with or without company. You’ll find women enjoying business lunches during the day. Some will enjoy a Saturday morning breakfast after a long work week. However, the best time to find good women at the restaurant is on Sunday afternoon after church. The places are packed!

8.     Flea Market
This was unique. Interestingly enough, when I visited our flea market, I found it to be true. Women love flea markets! You can go there to shop or you can set up shop and sell stuff that’s been hiding in your basement for the past twenty years. It’s a good way to meet interesting ladies.

9.     Social Gatherings
You can find out a lot about women by the types of events they frequent. I have had the recent pleasure of being introduced to several celebrity music artists and radio personalities at a Black Arts Festival. There are some quality social events that attract some very attractive women.

10.     Coffee Shop
Coffee is hot! Good coffee is all the rage. Lots of women like coffee and sit and chat with their friends over a steaming cup of brew. Our town has several choice coffee spots, including the Starbucks in the Barnes and Noble.

Now, men, these women are the salt of the earth. They have given you the inside scoop in full confidence that you’ll take their responses to heart. These ladies are the kind you want to take home to mother. They are not looking for smooth talking, play making hotties with no character. Be yourself and venture out. You may find the love of your life waiting just for you.

Responses from Discussion Forums
My perfect mate can find me hanging out at my church.  I'm there everyday because I work in the daycare center, pray at corporate prayer on Saturdays, and go to church on Sundays. ---Maisha, Fairburn, GA

My answer is Online. My ideal mate could find me via the internet. I'm always hanging out online. ---Nikki, Boston, MA

I met my husband when he came into my place of business as a representative for a company that supplied mine. This allowed our common ground for conversation to be business and observe how each of us conducted ourselves without usual dating pressures. Twenty years later, we are still together, very happily. One thing that I think was a major factor in establishing a relationship in the way that we did, we had to negotiate in the business aspect and as our relationship changes we maintain the negotiating element. I don't think that we've ever had the bickering or arguing that we see in other couples. ---Thea, theaswafford.com

CHURCH!  About a year ago I would have probably said in the club, but God has drastically and awesomely changed my life!  There is nothing like hanging with my church family.  We laugh together, cry together, and most importantly we praise, glorify and lift up the name of Jesus!  There is no other like God, He gives true inner joy that the devil can't steal!  ---Maria

I loved this reply.
I met my husband after having a dream where God spoke to me from within a gold light and He said, "I have a Man for you, a Man that is pleasing in the eyes of the Lord."  The next morning my Mother was visiting her pal Joann who owned Augusta Road Flea Market.  I drove to tell Mother about this dream as it was quite scary and realistic, very loud.  I never had plans on marrying, didn't want to as I was quite the Playgirl, traveling, pulling in the bucks had my own home, and happy as I was. I began my drive to the flea market and turned around twice to go home, thinking it so silly.  The third time I said, "What the heck."  and  continued on to see Mother.  Once I arrived I was telling Joann and Mom about the dream and in walked a man with piercing blue eyes and a baseball cap on that said, "I Love Jesus".  Time stopped or seemed to as we women turned to stare at this man.  The first thing I saw was his eyes and then the baseball cap.  I stood up, time seeming to move in super slow motion, and stated to him, "I like your hat."  In a deep voice which right off melted me he replied, "Do you like Jesus?"  Instantly I said "No, I love Jesus."  He was selling bulk wholesale coffee and milk.  We proceeded to his truck where he began giving me coffee and filters and such!  I was wearing a ground length turquoise hippy skirt with leopard leggings under.  He asked me if I was cold and I said no, lifted my skirt and said I have leggings on.  His mouth flew open and he started to laugh.  He stated he had to leave and finish his route and jumped into his truck, telling me it was nice speaking to me.  Before he could pull off, I asked him if he was going to ask me out.  He looked shocked but said he would love to.  I gave him my number and he said he would call the next day.  I didn't believe he would call.  He called that night. It ends up he was a Minister!!  A man pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.... spooky . ... well yeah.  We were married two weeks later and have been married since 1989. You can get all kinds of things at the Flea Market. ---Kare, www.theshabbyredneck.com,

My friends invite me to social gatherings related to the organizations in which they participate. They are on the board of directors for several organizations, and when they hold events, I attend those. ---Robin, Kalamazoo, Michigan

I am not one that goes out to places like the club and singles spots. I guess I really don't know where my ideal mate would find me ( I just pray that he finds me somewhere..lol).
But I think the man that God has designed for me could definitely find me at church of course, Whole Foods because that is my favorite store, at a tea, coffee, or smoothie shop because I am in Starbucks and Jamba Juice several times a week, an art venue (ie, art show, open mic night, a cultural event), at a inspirational work shop/conference, at a music and book store, and he will always find me at MannaGod event!!!! --- Kandaka, Denver, Colorado

I hang out at the beach, which is a great place to meet your mate, but maybe I say so because that's where I've met mine. ---K, Florida

I hang out at.....Church, so this is where my ideal mate would find me.  Otherwise maybe a nice jazz hang out (example The Union) or Barnes and Noble. ---Jiana, Kalamazoo, Michigan


Erika Jackson is an author and freelance writer. In her other career, Erika is a life and career coach for Turnaround Coaching. You can contact Erika at eprice5@yahoo.com or write to her at Turnaround Coaching, 1410 N. Church St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.