For years, Tasha cheered at friend weddings and offered shoulders to cry on after their breakups, all while quietly longing for a love story of her own. By 34, this successful Black professional had nearly given up hope of finding a partner who matched her drive and values. Dating apps felt like a dead end, and meeting someone through work or friends just had not happened. On a whim, Tasha tried a Black matchmaking service, and that is when her story changed.From Sceptic to Believer: At first, Tasha was sceptical. Could a stranger really find her a better match than she could find herself? Her matchmaker, a warm woman named Denise, spent hours getting to know her. Denise took note of Tasha desire for a family, her Jamaican British roots, and her need for a partner who would respect her ambition. Not long after, Denise introduced Tasha to Marcus, an entrepreneur who had also turned to matchmaking after feeling out of place on dating apps. Their first date was a simple coffee arranged by the service, but it felt different from the start. Both knew they were there with serious intentions. “We already knew we were both serious about finding something real,” Tasha recalls. That foundation of intention made it easy to open.Love Beyond Algorithms: As Tasha and Marcus continued dating, guided by their matchmaker advice, they found themselves connecting on levels they would never have experienced before. They joked about both having parents who expect them home for Sunday dinners, and they bonded over plans to give back to their community. In the past, conversations about long term goals might have felt awkward or premature. But through the matchmaking process, they had each been encouraged to be upfront about their intentions. This created a safe space for honesty. Six months into their relationship, they attended a friend party together, where friends whispered about how natural and happy they looked like a couple. It was no coincidence, their matchmaker had helped them align on values and commitment early, making their bond strong.The Payoff of Patience and Trust: A year later, Tasha and Marcus are engaged and planning a fall wedding. Standing beside her fiancée, Tasha often reflects on how close she came to quitting on love. It took courage to try something as personal as matchmaking, but she is grateful she did. Their success is not a one off, either. Matchmaking has quietly helped many Black singles find enduring love. (For context, about 62% of Black women ages 25–54 in the U.S. are single, so every matchmaking success story is a beacon of hope.) Tasha tells anyone who will listen that the investment was worth it; having a dedicated expert focus on her love life was exactly the jump start she needed. Instead of feeling like she “got lucky,” she feels that she made her luck by trusting the process.Stories like Tasha and Marcus prove that long-term love is possible with the right approach. If you are a Black single holding out hope for your person, consider writing your own success story with a little help. Join our Relationship Readiness Masterclass to ensure you’re prepared when your opportunity for love comes knocking.Source: pewresearch.Relationship Readiness Mini MasterclassTake the first step towards a fulfilling relationship. Our Relationship Readiness Mini Masterclass is a high-impact introduction to building healthy relationship habits and skills, tailored for the Afro-Caribbean community. Sign Up Now to start building the relationship you deserve.Read More