MEETING

Mary Kay Beckman found someone she was interested in dating. After going on a handful of dates with Wade Ridley, she decided that he wasn't a suitable companion. Unfortunately, this did not go over well with Mr. Ridley, and he began harassing and threatening Ms. Beckman through text messages. Circumstances escalated and one night when she arrived at her home in Las Vegas, Mr. Ridley viciously attacked her and almost killed her.

Your hands brush while reaching for the same avocado at Whole Foods and it's love at first sight. You lock eyes at an art gallery and elope that day. You spill coffee on him on your way to work, he finds your klutziness impossibly charming, and you live happily ever after.

Single women often despair to their girlfriends that there are no decent men in their area. The chances of that actually being true are virtually impossible. So, where are all the single men hiding?

There’s no two ways about it: the holidays are a pretty stressful time of year. Sure there is joy and giving mixed in, but between shopping, travel, and entertaining (on top of all the other tasks that populate your daily life), it can begin to feel like you’re caught in a class five hurricane. Of course, all of this is nothing compared to a visit to the family of your significant other, especially if you are meeting them for the first time.

Online dating can be fun, tricky and downright dangerous. I have some rules that I follow with every guy that I meet online. And yes, I should know---I'm 42 and still single.

Just my thoughts on where we are now

All this buzz over that Baby Name Wizard application had us thinking about names. Particularly names and how they mangle our view of someone upon meeting them.

After a new man enters your life and he becomes your boyfriend you naturally want to fold him into every aspect of your life. Over time you will want to introduce him to your friends, your colleagues and ultimately your family. But introductions should be handled with care and as we have learned, should be timed appropriately.

What does your man's beer choice say about him? Based on intense scientific research—er, years of observation—here's what we think:

Take a look at where some of these couples from across the nation met. You never know where you may meet that special someone.

The word dating doesn’t exist in Paris; they call it meeting because “date” is a code for flowers, dinner, goodnight kiss, etc. It’s not spontaneous.

Flirting is free on Yahoo! Personals, Yahoo!'s online dating site. Just sign in to send a user one of these –ironically– impersonal and genetic "Icebreakers." (When it comes to picking up readers, however, I prefer to jazz ‘em up...!).