Interracial Marriage

Soraya & Robert -
Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Engaged February 2014

The Phone Is Not Enough

“A glimmer of hope” drove Soraya to register an account on our site with the username “RayaJ.” She explains her thought process… “I decided to date online because my schedule with work, school and my daughters didn’t allot any time to physically go out and be social,” Soraya says. The Internet was a more time-efficient option.

Robert joined up as “Rob.Base” and his early doubts evaporated quickly. “I didn’t like the women I was meeting in person because I am very shy when meeting someone and it was hard for me to communicate. I found it easier online! It allowed me to be myself.”

About a year into his membership, Robert heard from a new member… “I believe she Flirted with me first, but I sent her a message first,” he recalls. He certainly didn’t hold Soraya’s gumption against her.

She sent that fateful Flirt because for Soraya, Robert’s profile simply demanded that she take action. “In his pictures, he just had the kindest eyes,” she notes. “He was honest and open [in his profile]. My first impression was great! I just knew positive things were ahead for us.”

After perusing her profile, corresponding and chatting, Robert considered Soraya someone with relationship potential. “She just had the biggest smile,” he declares, breaking into a pretty big grin himself. “Our conversations showed me her confidence and intelligence, which I liked!”

So when did these two decide the time was right to log off and meet up? “I knew I was ready to meet him when talking over the phone was not enough anymore,” Soraya tells us. The same realization dawned on Robert when he suddenly found himself browsing fares on a travel site. “I knew when I was searching for plane tickets for her without asking her first,” he laughs.

When they met up for the first time, Robert was thinking something along the lines of “I like what I see!” He says, “She was gorgeous in person. Everything I expected and more. I thought, ‘I lucked out!’” And Soraya was on the same page. “He was handsome and kind. I just wanted to hug him.”

Surprises are inevitable in life, and pretty common on first dates, too. Was there anything that caught Soraya off guard? “He didn’t go all out; it’s like he knew what I wanted. I definitely didn’t want a fuss! I’m low key.”

The biggest surprise for Robert was how Soraya’s presence triggered his emotions, so soon. He says that “How deeply I felt for her in such a short time” was the evening’s most unexpected element. Robert adds that afterwards he was “more than 100%” sure that they would go out again.

Now that they’ve been together for some time, Robert and Soraya can compare the profile to the person. “She puts family first,” Robert answers when asked what didn’t come through online. Soraya says that Robert’s responsible nature is something she discovered only after they met. “He’s not like anyone I’ve ever dated,” she says. Finding love “has made me appreciate the people in my life more, and made me gain so much patience.”

Given the power of their connection, it comes as no surprise that these two would make big plans together. But the best wedding proposals are never too obvious… “He proposed on Valentine’s Day,” Soraya begins. “He picked me up from the airport with the biggest bear and flowers! Fast forward to the rose petals on the floor, leading to a ring box. When I turned my back to him to open the empty ring box, he got down on his knee, holding a ring. When I turned back around, there it was. The rest is history.”

In the wake of his engagement, Robert feels like a new man. “Everything is new to me. My heart is just full; every morning, I wake up a brighter person. I didn’t know I could ever be this happy.”

“It’s possible, don’t give up,” Soraya urges the singles on our site. She believes love is out there, and plenty of it — enough for everyone. And for those who aren’t sure that online dating is the answer, Robert points to his own happiness as Exhibit A. “Give it a chance and have an open mind,” he says.

A glimmer of hope might just turn into gleaming engagement rings.

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