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Whether the weather is making you wish for a date that doesn’t go outside or you’re looking for something that doesn’t involve a lot of travel, you might be wondering whether to choose an indoor location for your next date - and one that isn’t just your local coffee shop. While we’ve got plenty of date ideas for those who like to escape into the great outdoors, here are some suggestions for those who like their dates to be more hygge than a hike!
Dating can be enjoyable and exciting but there are also potential pitfalls, like the risk of rejection, trying to decide whom to date, or how to discern between red flags and green ones. We can make it easier on ourselves by building an inner and outer dating support system, so that we are strong emotionally and we have people around us to cheer us on and offer sound advice.
Most people have specifications for the type of person they would like to date or marry, but I think it is even more important to make sure that you’re the kind of person someone would like to date or marry! To do this, you need to work on yourself. The truth is, we sometimes spend so much time noticing the shortcomings in potential partners’ characters and behaviours that we fail to notice that we also have shortcomings that could do with some work. Start to prepare for dating and marriage now to go into the future feeling confident and ready.
When Amy and Ian first met on Christian Connection they were living hundreds of miles apart. Using the distance to have deep conversations before they met in person, they built a relationship that has since involved a relocation, a beautiful surprise proposal, a game-filled wedding in a historic church and a new addition to their family. "One of the best things is that this always feels like it's meant to be," says Ian. "It feels like we have always known each other."
When was the last time you looked at your Christian Connection profile as others see it? However long you’ve been a member, it’s easy to forget the importance of first impressions. Your profile is your introduction to who you are and it’s worth taking the time to make sure it shows off all that is great about you! Thankfully it’s easy to boost your dating profile with a few quick changes – which can also boost your confidence about making new connections.
"I have now been happily married for 10 years with the first man I met on Christian Connection. It was obviously meant to be," wrote Roz, as she shared the story of how she met her husband Kelvin and their life together since they first connected. We know that single Christians who join CC are looking for someone who shares their faith and values, that will give them a strong foundation to build a lasting relationship. Their stories and experiences are full of tried and tested guidance for making connections that go the distance - each one starting with being brave and becoming a member!
No matter the season, one thing can always be relied upon to interrupt of even the best-laid dating plans: unpredictable weather! But don’t worry if your picnic in the park has been subjected to a rain delay, the sun has sent you running for shade, or your planned romantic walk has been blown off track by blustery gales, it’s still possible to spend some quality time getting to know each other. Here are 6 great weatherproof date ideas that can go ahead no matter what the forecast predicts.
“I’ll start dating when I’m the perfect weight or shape, or when I’ve landed my ideal job, or when I’m perfectly healed emotionally.” If this sounds familiar and you’re delaying dating until you’re in a ‘perfect’ space, it might be time to let go of the fantasy of perfection and embrace progress instead. If you need some encouragement to get started, here’s a checklist that will give you the confidence and the motivation to let go of the ideal and embrace imperfect dating.
Staying spiritually full can be challenging when you’re single. Dating itself can be full on, and whilst you’re busy planning dates and organising meet ups, it can be difficult sometimes to stay on track with your spiritual walk. Seeing friends and others couple up and get married can stir up unwanted feelings and emotions which if dwelled upon, can impact one’s spiritual life negatively. So, what can you do?
Every Christian Connection meeting story is unique. For Ian and Karen, their connection meant a major life change: "I’d never had a boyfriend before meeting him, and thought all hope was lost. I still can’t believe it finally happened," says Karen. They got in touch to share their encouraging story - and some beautiful wedding photos!
If we’ve been away from the dating scene for months or even years, it can be a challenge to start again. Maybe online dating feels like a minefield that we’re not equipped to navigate. Perhaps the process feels alien to us. Maybe we’re impatient to find love or doubtful that it’ll work out. Dating after a break can feel like a big step but there are many things we can do to make it easier.
“I actually wasn't even going to give him a look. I was living in Melbourne, and Jamie was in Adelaide…” When Angelique and Jamie first connected on Christian Connection they lived 12 hours apart. Find out how their relationship developed from a wave to a New Year proposal, to a life-changing relocation and a beautiful Italian-style wedding…
Perhaps you’ve been on the dating journey for a while and you’re thinking, “What has dating ever done for me?” Don’t give up just yet! You may not have found ‘the one’ so far, but did you know that there are many skills you can develop during the dating process? You may not have thought about it like that, but even if your journey hasn’t connected you with the perfect person just yet, you are developing life skills that will benefit you, both inside and outside of the dating world.
Every year many of us pick up a tent, pack a backpack, and head out into the great outdoors for a weekend of music, mildly questionable food choices and (sometimes) mud at our favourite festivals. But whether you’re a regular attendee or a nervous newcomer, heading to a Christian festival can be a wonderful, welcoming place to meet like-minded people. It could even be the perfect spot for a first date! With so much to do at a festival, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But if you’re prepared, you’ll be able to tailor the experience to one that’s perfect for you. Here are our suggestions for making the best of your time.
One question the Christian Connection team is often asked is: “I’m an older person. Is online dating really for me?” The answer to that is a resounding yes! More and more mature daters are getting online to connect with potential new partners, using technology to make lasting connections. If you’re thinking about trying out online dating at a later stage of your life, you’re not alone, and we’re here to help.
“I was looking for a life partner. And I wanted to find someone who shared my faith and shared my beliefs. I heard about Christian Connection from a friend. I thought, ‘well, it's pretty good way to find someone…’” When Andrew started out on his search he had no idea it would end up in an elegant first dance to his new wife Sharon. Find out how her wave to Andrew on Christian Connection sparked a lasting relationship…
One of the challenges of dating or starting a relationship is knowing how much personal information to disclose and at what point. It can be tempting to over-share or to hold things back. So, how do we strike a healthy balance? How can we avoid under- or oversharing in dating?
In Romans 12 verse 10, the Bible says, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves”. Paul was talking to the church in Rome, but this also applies to us as Christians, and I believe can also be applied to dating relationships. The word ‘honour’ means to hold in high respect, or with great esteem. It might sound like something we reserve only for God (whom we should of course, honour), our parents or spiritual leaders. But we can see from Paul’s letter that it is meant for the rest of us as well. So, how do we show honour in dating?
Trust is a very important issue in all of life, and that’s especially true in the online dating world. We message and arrange dates with people we’ve never met, we show up and spend time with a stranger and have to decide how things will develop from there. We have to be wise, savvy and make sure we are safe, and we need to know if we can or can’t trust someone for the long term. Dating is about opening up, telling people about yourself, being vulnerable - we can only do that if we truly trust someone, otherwise we will be guarded, have a barrier up and the dates will grind to a halt. But we also need to balance our boundaries and sensible self-protection. So how we can take those first impressions of someone new and grow trust while dating?
Before Leesa and Leigh met on Christian Connection they shared similar stories – both had been married before, both had children and both felt prompted by God to join just when they did. Following God’s lead, Leesa joined just in time to meet before Leigh’s subscription ended. That connection led to an unexpected declaration of love in a fast food restaurant, a wedding surrounded by family and friends and exciting plans for the future.
When it comes to romantic attraction and finding our match, we all have our preferences, ranging from height to hair colour, and from career to relationship history. But these dating preferences can shrink our dating pool and they may keep us single. So, could it be time to broaden our dating horizons?
Going from a simple online ‘like’ to a long distance relationship and a marriage is no small feat! When Victoria first noticed James on Christian Connection she knew what she was looking for and what she wanted her dating profile to say about her. Before starting her search, she was certain of one thing: “I decided that I was going to be intentional and join a Christian dating website.” She knew of Christian connection and thought, “let me give it a try. What have I got to lose?” She had picked the perfect moment to connect with James, though she didn’t know that when she joined. James had been a Christian Connection member for some time: “My journey was a bit longer… On and off. In fact, when I was coming towards the end of using it, that's when Victoria and I met...”
If you’ve been single for a while, you’ll have noticed your dating and relationship priorities might have changed. The chances are, what someone is looking for in their early twenties is quite different from what they’re looking for later on, into their late twenties, thirties, forties and beyond. We all change as we get older, and our priorities when it comes to dating and relationships are likely to change too. So, how might what you’re looking for in a life partner change over time? What might you encounter at different dating life stages? And how can you plan for an amazing future no matter what your age?
Holding on to ourselves and being who we truly are in romantic relationships can be a huge challenge, especially if we’ve been waiting a long time to find love. But if we lose our personalities in the process of dating, it can be hard to find ourselves again, leading to unhealthy attachments. Wait a minute, you say. Surely, it’s called ‘falling in love’ for a reason? Isn’t it natural to lose parts of yourself as you look to join your life with another person? Like anything, it’s about balance.
Sometimes when dating, you just know someone isn’t right for you for the long term and letting down gently is the next step. You find your conversations going through the same small talk - again; you seem to be too different in key areas; practically it won’t work; the timing isn’t right, or that all-important growing connection just isn’t there. However, if you decide not to pursue a relationship, it is healthy to give someone closure, to finish well and be honourable in your actions. How can you do that safely and well?
Life happens. This very common saying means that you could be happily going along your day and suddenly, life throws you a curveball – some sort of unexpected problem or event. For most of us, we just deal with it as best as we can and carry on. But what do you do if ‘life happens’ when you’re dating, or getting to know someone for the purpose of a relationship? How do you navigate life changes when someone new is in the picture?
Amid life’s constant hustle and its highs and lows, we invite you to pause and reflect on some enduring truths. ‘Celebrate You’ is our new short film, created to help you reflect through powerful affirmations, highlighting your unique qualities and the infinite value you hold to God. Whether you’re watching on a big screen at a festival or on your phone at home, take a moment to let each word sink in and affirm God’s love for you and your worth in God's eyes. Watch and be uplifted by a message of love, hope and personal strength today and always.
Finding someone we want to date and carry on dating is one thing. Transitioning into a healthy relationship with that person is another. When we find someone with whom we want to pursue a relationship, it’s tempting to throw ourselves into the experience, to the exclusion of all else. How do we grow closer to someone while holding onto ourselves and avoiding self-sabotaging behaviours so we form a healthy relationship?
"Thanks Christian Connection for helping us find one another, God’s way," wrote Aduba and Will at the end of their Christian Connection story. If there's one thing couples who meet on Christian Connection have in common it's sharing a deep faith they go on to grow together. It's always a privilege and encouragement to hear the stories of single Christians who joined Christian Connection in hope making a special connection, met through a wave or message and have decided to build a future together.
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is big news right now. You may have heard of AI being used to generate music, art, stories and videos. Some actors, writers, and artists are going on strike to prevent being replaced by AI versions of themselves. Public figures and politicians now have to deal with ‘deep fake’ versions that look and sound very similar to them appearing online. But did you know that AI is also something to be aware of when it comes to meeting online? Here’s the Christian Connection guide to what you need to know about AI and online dating.
It seems that most people these days are already in a committed, loving relationship… with their phone. Who can live without it? It’s the go-to form of communication, office, relaxation station, camera, social life - everything. It can be easy to feel empty without it, if we ever allowed that to happen - wherever we go, our phones go too. It’s addictive and can suck us into an insular world. Of course, there are many pros to having a phone. It can make communication and dating much easier for a start! So, what are the things to consider when dating in the smartphone age? What does good phone etiquette look like?
When it comes to online dating, it can be hard to know where to start - and who to trust. Preparing to meet someone new can be an exciting but also anxious process. Building a successful relationship depends on trust, and it is trust Christian Connection is founded on and central to all we do. For nearly 25 years we’ve been helping single Christians meet and form lasting relationships and we know that trust is a top priority every step of the way.
First dates are wonderful opportunities to meet potential partners. They can also be filled with pitfalls. We may be nervous, excited or so keen for things to work out that we overlook clear warning signs. So, what first date red flags do we need to look out for?
While it’s only natural to over-think our romantic lives and tie ourselves in knots, the fact is that the purpose of a first date is quite simple: to find out if we want a second date with that person. So, what signs and signals should we look out for before deciding whether to meet again? What could we recognise as first date green flags?
Easter is a time when we remember what Jesus did for us, His death and resurrection. Yes, it’s also a time when there are many happy, fluffy lambs, Easter eggs, chocolates and bunny rabbits, but the true meaning of Easter is all about Jesus and always will be. It is a solemn time, but also a time full of hope, excitement and a fresh start. We can go through a range of emotions as we remember this significant time in Christ’s life. What can we learn through this period of Easter to help us to be more Christlike and what can we bring into our dating lives and our relationships?
Easter is a time for reflection but also a time for joy. As Christians we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus and the new life that offers. Alongside this are lots of new traditions involving chocolate, food and fluffy animals! If you’ve met someone you want to get to know better or you’re looking for something to do that makes the most of the season, here are some fun and rewarding Easter date ideas to consider. Bunny ears optional!
“Both of us had spent many years looking for the right person, often feeling in tough times that it would never happen. Time and again either of us would be at someone else’s wedding and think: ‘When will it be my turn?’” This is how Charlie and Ruth opened their story when they got in touch to let us know they'd just got married after meeting on Christian Connection. Online dating can bring ups and downs,. Couples who meet on Christian Connection often ask to share their stories so that those who are currently dating will be encouraged, and show how they navigated their dating experiences to find each other.
How can we ensure we have a positive experience when dating? That we feel hopeful about the process and willing to continue our search for love, rather than feel depressed, down and ready to give up? Asking yourself some simple questions - a handy pre-dating checklist - can help. These questions are designed to support you to create a virtuous circle in your dating life so that you remain upbeat and enthusiastic, as opposed to being in a painful vicious cycle that leads you to stop dating. Ready to start?
We all know communication is key when it comes to any form of relationship. It’s important to get your point across and be heard but also to listen and pay attention to others. Yet sometimes our communication styles within relationships can be an enigma or polar opposites, leading to miscommunication and a breakdown of understanding. Why is it that there are people you just ‘click’ with, and others that you find really hard work to talk to? And how can this affect dating and romantic relationships?
Messaging has been going well. You want to meet in person and chat more. The classic first date is to ‘meet for a coffee’ – simple to arrange, public and low cost. It’s a great way to test your online connection and whether there’s more to develop without the pressure of a grand setting or long time commitment. But you still want it to go well. First impressions count! So, what could you do that’s a little more interesting than a couple of cappuccinos? Here are some fun, simple first date ideas that make a great alternative to coffee.