“I couldn't imagine having a relationship with someone thousands of miles away.”

Shawnna and Damond

It was December 2003 I was at my wits end.

I had been trying this online dating thing for about six months and nothing life changing had come out of it. I had just made up my mind that it wasn't something for me and I was going to call it quits.

Then, on Christmas Eve, I got a message in my Yahoo! Personals mailbox from a guy who was in the military serving in Iraq. Though I thought it was useless, I wrote back. I couldn't imagine having a relationship with someone thousands of miles away.

At first, considering where he was and the situation, we couldn't we didn't get to talk much. Then, after a few times, suddenly, I stopped hearing from him. Then, just as suddenly, he popped up again. On one day we talked by Messenger for nine straight hours. I felt like I had found my soul mate however he was in Iraq and bullets were flying at his head.

The good news was that he was on his way home and that was why he hadn't been able to communicate with me as much as he had wanted to. He then asked for my phone number, I was a little worried but I gave it to him and he called me from Iraq.

This was a phone call you never expected from someone you don't even know. But it was wonderful, we talked for the hour that he was allowed. He and I had hit it off well.

I didn't get to talk to him again until he made it back to the states. We met for the first time on my birthday and have been together ever since.

In July 2004 he asked me to marry him and I accepted. My heart was filled with joy because I knew this was the person I would spend the rest of my life with. In September of 2004 we were married, surrounded by our friends and family. My children now have a wonderful stepfather who they love. I am blessed to have Damond in my life.

Success tips from Shawnna

• Don't give up, the old adage you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince.
• Don't be afraid to talk to someone who is different than the person you think you're looking for. Sometimes those are the people you find you have the most in common with.
• For a single parent (and one who isn't into the bar scene or going out a lot) Yahoo! Personals is a good way to meet someone without putting your kids in an uncomfortable situation. You can never be too careful when it comes to your children.
• First date: We met at Applebee's for a lunch date on my birthday.

Do you have a love story to share? Let us know!

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