I joined Yahoo Personals in Nov 2005. I signed up for a whole year thinking it would take me at least that long to meet someone. I was just getting out of a bad relationship, and had stated in my profile that I wasn't looking for a husband, just someone to enjoy my time with. I never sent emails to men. It's not because I'm old fashioned and think the guy should approach the girl...that's stupid. I just felt that with the situation I was in (with the breakup) that I shouldn't be actively "looking", but if someone emailed me I'd see where it went. I got a dozen or so emails in the next month, and responded to everyone who emailed me. Some of them I thanked for the interest, but wasn't interested in persuing it any further. I felt liberated! No longer did I have to say yes to a date when I really wasn't interested because I might have to see that person again. With online dating I could say no without having to feel terrible. I wished those men luck, and told them I hoped they found what they were looking for. The men I did want to respond to I would talk just through the Yahoo site, but didn't feel like I had enough of a connection with any of them to talk on the phone. I got an email December 12, 2005 from a man named John. His email was generic,as most first emails are, stating his name and that he thought our personalities were a good match. I emailed back with (again) a generic email stating what I did for a living and what I wanted in someone. We emailed back and forth for about 3 weeks, then both decided we felt confident enough to start talking via phone. After the New Year we decided to meet, Jan 3, 2006. Our first date was amazing! I was so nervous because I really liked him, and worried that once we met face to face that the spark we both felt wouldn't be there for either one of us...or worse...just one of us. But it was great, and now it's over a year later and everything is still wonderful. December 23, 2006 John asked me to be his wife. I never would have thought I'd meet my husband on the internet. I thought I was going on here to meet someone to kill time with, instead I met the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I read through some of the posts before I wrote my own, and I do have some things to say. In terms of the "fake" posts...who cares. Get on there, sign up for a month and see what happens. If you don't like it, don't complain that Yahoo Personals "failed" you. It just wasn't for you. Heck I was aggitated I signed up for a year and didn't use it after the 2nd month!! Stop whining that you can't find someone. There is so much pressure to find "The One" these days that people consume their whole lives with it. If you are happy being alone, which I was when I started on Yahoo, then someone will be happy to be alone with you. I have some advice for the people reading this who want to try the sites. First, decide what you want and be selective. This goes for guys AND girls. If you respond to every single person who emails you, your bound to find a bonehead or two (or fifty). Respond/Email people who you think really fit what YOU want. Second, don't write one paragragh responses to people when they email you, or when you email them. The people who I responded to who then wrote back...So....how have you been? I wanted to throw up. Tell people about yourself and be honest. Don't be afraid to tell them something they won't like. Don't change for people...if they don't want to talk to you, so what! Their loss. I was still living with my ex at the time I was edating, and I told this to every guy who emailed me. If they didn't like it (and there were alot who didn't)...Oh well what was I gonna do. But the one I'm marrying didn't mind. Third, pic up a picture! If a guy sent me an email without a pic I would A) think he was a scam B) think there was something terribly wrong with him that he couldn't put up a pic and/or C) think he had such low self esteem and wasn't happy with himself (and I didn't want to meet that person anyway.) Be proud of who you are! Even if you are a beast there is someone who may love that! Last, don't think Yahoo Personals is going to solve your love problems. I hate those commercials that show tons of happy couples who fell in love online. They make it look so easy, but online dating is just as difficult as regular dating. It's awkward and uncomfortable and yes (GASP) someone might not like you. If you go into it thinking that this is just a way of expanding your search, you'll be fine. It worked for me...and I still can't believe it.