Searches for “love,” not surprisingly, peak during February, with people likely looking for Valentine’s ideas and ways to spark a little romance in their lives. Searches for “sex” are fairly unseasonal, but do take a bit of a jump during the summer months (we imagine it has to do with all the extra skin we see during the warmth of July). The unfortunate part is where the “rejection” searches peak: right after the “love” ones do. We imagine that although you see a few thousand proposals during this romantic time, the breakups are probably pretty rampant as well, as are the confessions of unrequited love.

So what does that tell us? Perhaps that sex isn’t the “ultimate expression of love” like we imagined as kids? That maybe falling in love is not as likely a direct ticket to Sexville, and more a direct ticket to Misery City? What do you think?

img @ freestuffhq

In this kind of economy, we all love things that are free. Samples at grocery stores, t-shirts from cannons at sports games (Ooh! Perfect for pajamas!), and of course the bottles of lotion at hotels. It’s not being cheap, it’s being frugal, and in uncertain times like these, we could all brush up on our frugality! And dating sites aren’t left out of this equation – monthly subscriptions for online dating are often the first to go from our “unneeded” list.

However, should the chance at love really be on the unneeded list? No way! Luckily, dating sites understand that, especially Chemistry.com, who, this week, is offering a Free Communication Weekend from  November 19th to the 21st!

Plus — Chemistry is special – it uses the methods of “compatibility” and “chemistry” to match its users. Just fill out the questionnaire and it will help you find someone who could be your perfect fit!

Click on the banner below to sign up today and enjoy a free weekend of communication. Who knows – that could be all you need to find your soul mate!

Or neither?

The biggest sports news in America right now (especially since the World Cup is on hold until Sunday), is that superstar basketballer LeBron James is headed to Miami. People are speculating about his new team’s chances at winning a ring, the “betrayal” of leaving Cleveland, and now, get this – about whether or not he’ll stay with his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson, or move onto one of the beach babes that Miami has to offer.

We expressed a mighty “WTF,” at Hollywood Life’s assumption that because they two aren’t married, a new life in Miami could push LeBron into the arms of another woman, despite the fact that the two, who have been together for years, have two children together.

Hollywood Life lists potential new leading ladies, and all we can think is, “SHUT UP, HOLLYWOOD LIFE.” I mean, who is to say that these two don’t have the world’s most rock solid relationship, just because they aren’t married? They seem to be a very happy couple with a beautiful family, and just because they’re moving from a somewhat small town to the bustling cultural city of Miami doesn’t mean LeBron is going to go nuts and start Tiger Woods-ing all over the place.

Or maybe he will. Who knows. All we know, is Hollywood Life, SHUT UP.

What do you think?

Looking for a mate who shares the same religious beliefs as you? Big Church may be the site you need to find a spiritually compatible relationship. Big Church is one of the largest Christian dating sites available today, and boasts almost 500,000 users.

Some of the best features of Big Church are from their blog and magazine, where members can communicate, post articles, and discuss their beliefs. As for the dating site, its best aspects include showing you single Christians in your area, and its use of Confirm ID to ensure safety and honesty.

Some reviews believe that perhaps the site is better for finding friends than lovers, but hey! Sometimes friendship can lead to much, much more! So if you’re a believer looking for love, head on over to Big Church and see what it has to offer!

BlackSingles.com is the leading dating site for Black singles to find love. It is the highest rated of African-American dating sites, and claims to have over a thousand new singles joining every day! Its busy, popular message boards show a strong community of people looking to find their soul mate.

Its most redeeming feature is the moderation of profiles to ensure authenticity in its members. Singles looking for a mate can trust that each person they browse has been screened by the site’s profile reviewers!

Some issues exist in the customer service department; however, their monitoring of message boards and messaging is intended to keep users safe.  Also, although some members claim there is a disconnect between paying members and non-paying members, this is common among all sites, and those who upgrade are far more likely to be serious about finding their true love.

If you are searching for an African-American lover, check out BlackSingles.com and let us know how it goes!

Chemistry’s match-making process is centered around it’s detailed personality profile which estabishes members likes, dislikes, values, and personality traits.  The personality profile ensures that you will only be matched with individuals who share the same ideals as you.  This approach saves a lot of time and money by weeding out all of the individuals who you wouldn’t be interested in meeting in the first place. Chemistry also offers it’s members a very helpful and intensive communication process called,  1-2-3 Meet. This technology will quickly teach you a lot about your prospective match and prepare you to meet in person!

If you are serious about meeting someone special and are specific in regards to the type of person you are looking for, then Chemistry is a great site for you to check out!

Scanna is a well-trusted matchmaking website that helps men from all over the world get in contact with thousands of Russian women. Want proof that Scanna really works? Check out the sites numerous success stories, in which men from many different countries around the world, have been able to find true love with the Russian woman of their dreams.

For all of you men who have a particular interest in Russian women, this is the perfect site for you. In general, the quality of women on Scanna is incredibly high as they possess beauty, intelligence, and a genuine desire to find someone special. The site even includes some special features that make connecting with these pretty ladies even easier.

The features include: 

• Advanced searching
• Tours and travel arrangements
• Multi-lingual capabilities
• Live chat
• Enhanced security

When it comes to finding that special someone, there is really no simple solution. A lot of us have had bad experiences in the past that make us reluctant to get out there and find love because we are afraid of getting hurt again.  Sometimes, if we have been single long enough or have encountered one too many Mr. or Ms. Wrongs, we start to believe that there is simply no one out there for us. Don’t give up just yet!  You never know when you might meet “the one” for you,  and when you do make sure that you seize the opportunity and don’t let it pass you by.  Here are four tips that will help you find that special someone you have been waiting for. 

1)  Get out there!

The first step towards finding someone special is to simply put yourself out there. I know this probably sounds like a no brain-er, but in reality this can be a major dilemma.  If you are constantly surrounded by the same people and have the same routine every day, you are not allowing yourself to see what the world has to offer. There are plenty of fish in the sea and chances are there is someone out there who would make a great match for you.  So, get out there and start participating in life!  You could meet someone perfect for you in the line at the grocery store, in the elevator at your office building, at a gym class or even online.  You really never know when the right person may come along, so make sure you open your eyes to what’s going on around you.  Who knows, the man or woman of your dreams might be closer than you think.

2) Be open-minded

Many of us have a template in our heads of what a relationship should look like and what attributes our significant other should possess.  Sometimes this is based in reality but often it is the result of irrational beliefs.  Of course it is important to set standards and abide by them when looking for a potential boyfriend or girlfriend; however, this does not mean that you should instantly turn you head to someone who doesn’t seem to perfectly fit the mold of what you “think” you want.  You never know what kind of romance might develop if you aren’t willing to give someone a chance.  Don’t make judgements about someone based on things that you don’t know firsthand.  People can surprise you and you may realize that you have a lot more in common with someone than you originally thought. 

3) Don’t get discouraged

This is much easier said than done, but you have to try as hard as you can to stay positive throughout the journey of finding the right person. If at all possible, keep a positive attitude when thinking about a potential date whether it is a fix-up, an online match, or a random encounter.  If finding someone to share your life with is truly a strong desire of yours, then you need to purse it with determination in order to be successful.  Yes, you will have bad dates, maybe even horrible ones, and you will probably suffer a bruised ego from time to time, but remember that you are not alone and that this is just part of the process.  Once you find that special person, everything you went through to get there will be more than worth it.

4) Take a Risk!

Don’t be afraid to take risks and to step outside of your comfort zone.  If you want to meet someone special you have to be willing to let your guard down and become vulnerable.  Don’t let your pride or the fear of the unknown stop you from letting someone into your life.  Let your doubts, fears, and insecurities go, and dive in head first.  It’s better to give someone a shot and have it not workout than to pass on the opportunityand always wonder what might have been.  You will never know who you may be passing by or what you could be missing out on unless you just go for it.  Remember, when it comes to love, you will only ever get as much as you are willing to give. Go for it!

5) Don’t force it

As stated in the advice above, it’s important to keep an open mind, put yourself out there, stay confident, etc.  However, in doing all of these things, you need to remember that as much as you may want to find someone special and as hard as you might try to make it a reality, you can’t force it.  It’s important to remember that we can’t always control the outcome of a situation just like we can’t control how someone feels about us.  When it comes to meeting someone special the best approach to take is to just go with the flow and let life take its course. Don’t become so desperate in finding the love of your life that it takes away from your other goals, interests, and pursuits.  Timing is key, and when it’s your turn to meet “the one” it will happen without any force or desperation. Oddly enough, we are much more inclined to find just what we are looking for as soon as we stop searching for it. 

Never forget that there is someone out there who will make you realize why all of your past relationships never worked out.  Meeting “the one” is definitely possible if you stay positive, remain open-minded, and take risks.  If you want to find someone special, you will, but you need to be patient and and give the relationship time to grow and flourish.  Keep in mind, that the greatest things in life come to those who wait :)

Personal space is a critical component to ensure that your relationship is healthy and successful. Having common interests and enjoying the company of your significant other is a great thing, but you must always remember that you are your own person with your own life, separate from your boyfriend or girlfriend.  One of the most common developments that occurs between two people in a relationship is they become so caught up in each other that separately they begin to lose their individuality. No matter how much you love someone or how much you enjoy being together, you should never become so consumed with them that it causes you to lose sight of who you are. 
 
There is a fine line that exists between being deeply involved in your loved ones life and being completely consumed by it. In relationships we want to be supportive, reliable, and enthusiastic about what the other person is passionate about or involved in. When you really care about someone, you want to be their rock and their solid foundation, the person who they can turn to for anything and everything. Being highly dedicated to your boyfriend or girlfriends life is incredibly valuable in maintaining a strong relationship, but make sure you do not let your involvement become so deep that it forces you to lose significance of your own life. 
 
It’s important for couples to realize that their self worth is not dependent on each other.  Just because you share your life with someone doesn’t mean that your every thought, hobby, and goal has to be exactly the same as that person.  How boring would it be to be with someone who does every single thing that you do?  What would they bring the relationship if they spent all of their time and energy on living in the shadow of your life? Relationships should shape you and mold you into a better version of yourself, not transform you into someone completely different.
 
A good tip is to try and do something by yourself and for yourself everyday.  Even if you live with your boyfriend or girlfriend, take the chance to have some alone time.  Whether it’s going on a run, taking a painting class, or meeting up with a friend to watch a sporting event, make sure you do something that makes you happy, independently from your other half.  Giving yourself personal space will allow you to grow independently and continue to pursue the things in your life that make you uniquely yourself.  Your significant other will respect you for having your own ambitions and interests, and in turn, you will have a much happier and healthier relationship and life.