Retro-Housewife.com - Romance and Dating in the 2000s.

Other Retro Pages

Most Popular Engagement and Wedding Rings

A Nosy Parker Survey conducted by the Retro Housewife!

Top Selling Engagement / Anniversary Ring at Netaya.com - This beauty is a 14kt White Gold 1½ ctw. Princess Cut Three-Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

Most Popular Set: (2006) Bridal Engagement Ring and Wedding Band
Most Popular Set: (2006) 1/2 Carat Diamond Set of 14K White Gold Bridal Engagement Ring and Wedding Band. Currently $525 at Ice.com

Marriage - It's Just Good Business

Those who marry "till death do us part" end up, on average four times richer than those who never marry.
Married men drink less, take fewer drugs and work harder, earning between 10% and 40% more than single men with similar schooling and job histories.
Marriage encourages the division of labor, and specialization (which Adam Smith, the father of capitalism says is a good thing.)
A study by Adam Thomas and Isabel Sawhill concluded that if the black family and not collapsed between 1960 and 1998, the black child poverty rate would have been 28.4% rather than 45.6%!!!!

Lenox 2007 Bride and Groom Ornament

ROMANCE & DATING IN THE 2000s:

Is Marriage and Family Passé?

Marriage Is IN! Happiness is Life As A Wife. What is it like to be available and looking for a spouse in the new millennium? How has romance and courtship changed? Are people still even looking for spouses? Let's take stock; In 2005, the last year that I could find data on, about 2.2 million marriages took place in this here US of A!

Number of marriages in the United States: 2,230,000 2005
In the 2000s, the median age of first marriage for women is just short of 26.
For the average couple marrying for the first time in recent years, the lifetime probability of divorce or separation remains between 40% and 50%.

"The State of Our Unions also includes good news and bad news on the marriage front. The good news: for the college-educated minority of the American population, marriage appears to have gotten stronger in recent years. The bad news: for everyone else, marriage continues to get weaker. The “marriage gap” is generating a society of greater inequality, the report notes. “America is becoming a nation divided not only by education and income levels but by unequal family structures.” The National Marriage Project from The State of Our Unions, 2006

The Internet And Dating

Where do couples find each other? How do couples meet? Presumably, the old fashioned way of meeting still goes on, but now online dating is, gasp, mainstream.

I know many people who met online and they are not afraid or ashamed to say so. (Unless it goes badly). For better or worse, online dating seems like it is here to stay. And online dating sites are springing up like mushrooms (as are it seems, background checking services).

Not only are there dozens of matchmaking sites, they are becoming more and more targeted to specific subcultures of American Society. Tired of struggling with the question of when to reveal that you have children? Avoid it all together by joining a matchmaking site specializing in single parent dating! Want to marry a rich man? Screen out the poets and the paupers and stick to men who make over $100K a year?

Let's look at a few!

Dating Service	Description & Features	1 Month Cost	Survey
Perfectmatch.com	Relationship Site Duet Total Compatibility System Free Services Free Compatibility Profile 2 months FREE with a 2 month subscription purchase. The real question is whether you trust a doctor named "Pepper".	$59.95 (2 months is only $5 more. Use the special offer...even cheaper..)
Yahoo! Personals	Casual Dating Site Free Services Flirt with a free Icebreaker message Yahoo Relationship Test Yahoo Personality & Love Style Test Create a Yahoo Profile Search for great people	$24.95
eHarmony I have been working through some of the eHarmony marriage services, (although it is taking me longer than I expected, but I am documenting my findings in a review of eHarmony marriage.)	For those looking for a serious relationship. You may not even sign up unless you are single...not just separated. Either never been married, or officially divorced. eHarmony has an extensive personality profile (7 pages long!) and compatibility profile. Free Services Free Personality Profile FREE Compatibility Profile Unique Services Pre-marital program** - provides advice for engaged couples (I highly recommend doing something like this!) "Marriage Wellness" program - how to keep your marriage on track. Problem Marriages - gives you an action plan on how to solve problems in your marriage.
Date.com

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell us at the retro housewife hotline!

Zeitgeist: On Relationships & Dating

Finding "The One"

In The News

Chemistry: In the Spotlight Only 2 years old, Chemistry.com has seen rapid growth attributable to their now rather famous "Rejected by eHarmony" TV ads - and a 7 Day Free Trial.... Chemistry has made the news:
New York Times: Hitting It Off, Thanks to Algorithms of Love

Network World: The Hottest Trends in Online Dating

Between the Lines: eHarmony Rival Understands Love is for Everyone - Even if Others Don't Accept it
Here how Chemistry explains its success: "Diverse, passionate people that spark real chemistry. No wonder we're one of the fastest growing relationship sites in America. Experience the Chemistry Difference..."

His Perspective:

Soldier asks "How do I find Mrs. Right?"
Gender Theft - Elbowing in on Guy Time

Her Perspective:

Tales from the Trenches - Funny Stories About Online Dating.
Former College Gal wants to be a Retro Housewife
The Wedding Day - A Short Story

Valentine's Day 2008

These roses are certified organic, making them a rare and truly special gift for Valentine’s Day!

Sexy Valentine's Day Gift - the Oscar de la Renta Mesh Georgette Chemise Sexy Valentine's Day Gift - the Oscar de la Renta Mesh Georgette Chemise aka a baby doll nighty! This hot little number is from Nordstrom.

Flowers are still romantic...

White Orchids with Green Vase
by Julie Mulligan

Pretty White Tulips

Bridal Trends 2007

In bridal fashion, not only is the gown important, but so are the accessories. The hottest current trend is big and bold when it comes to bridal jewelry.

Glamorous and shimmering chandelier earrings complement a sleek and and simple gown design allowing for the jewelry to take center stage.
Dangling pieces of diamonds and pearls emphasize a bride's beauty.

Earrings aren't the only accessory going big. Bridal designers are dressing their models up with dramatically elaborate necklaces that add the perfect amount of glamour to accompany the style of the dress. Glimmering chokers and cascading pendants are a hot item this season in the fashion industry.