The New Way to Online Date...

The generation of "app" dating ... Here I was, just out of a four-and-a-half-year relationship, and having to download dating apps for the very first time. Because that's what we do now, right? I have many mixed feelings on this method of dating, as do many others that I know. It feels more like a social game that you play when you're bored rather than a legitimate way of meeting a potential partner. Dating apps kept me occupied when I had free time or when I was sitting on the couch only half way watching my DVR reality shows. Regardless of it being an occasional time filler, I was able to eventually find my "Bumble Bae," and leave the apps behind me. It was a process though, and there were plenty of doubtful moments. I'm here to tell you that we all share the same experiences, and have the same skeptical thoughts. But don’t allow those to make you not be open to it, because I've heard of just as many successes as I have fails—me being an example.

Yes, we have all matched, put ourselves out there by sending the first message, and didn't get a response. It happens!

Ever had an on-going conversation with someone for a few days, sometimes weeks and never actually met them, in person? Yeah, that's about 80 percent of app dating experiences.

Or the first date goes so bad, you instantly regret ever relying on right swipes to get you setup in the first place? Sometimes a free meal or drink isn't worth it.

So you find someone with potential, you hangout a few times, and you start to feel like it could actually go somewhere ... but when do you have that awkward conversation of if they are, or if you should still be "active" on those apps? We all get there at some point, if you have any success or intention to seriously date.

My first Bumble date? Awful. We made dinner plans and he showed up saying he ate a late lunch, but I could order dinner if I wanted. Let’s see, no. So, I ordered my glass of wine, he ordered a beer. I sat there for three hours and listened to him tell me his life story. I could hardly get a word in. About an hour in, I noticed that he had severe cotton mouth. Mind you, he sipped on his beer and multiple glasses of water the entire time. Yes, we only had one drink, because he never took the lead on ordering another. Needless to say, that was the only date we went on even though he texted me for the next week trying to plan another one. Second Bumble date, conveniently a few days later. (Did I mention it can sometimes feel like speed dating?) Date two went much better, we instantly clicked. However, because of this world of social dating that we now live in, it wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies. We hung out every weekend for about four months before having the “active on apps” talk. Even after deleting those, it was another three months before we made our relationship official. I never had to go on any other Bumble dates, but before removing apps from my life, I had countless conversations and dates setup that never actually happened.

With all the mixed feelings and experiences that come along with Bumble, Hinge, Tinder ... Whatever you decide to swipe on, it can be worth it in the end. You'll either find your match made in app heaven like I did, or you'll have some great stories to share and laugh about with your friends.