Every JDater knows there are few things more thrilling than coming back to your computer and seeing that you’ve got a message from your latest crush. But sometimes, in our tech-infused world where talking on the phone seems old-fashioned, we forget that texting, emailing, and instant messaging are no match for meeting the real life, fantastic you, in person.

You have taken the time to create an outstanding profile and have posted at least three photos, one of which is a close-up shot of your face and another is a body shot. The paragraphs you have written accurately describe your personality and the things you find important in your perfect match. You have set up your preferences for your search, examined many potential matches, and have decided to contact a few of them. It is now time to send a proper introduction letter.

People often wonder how much time they should be spending on Internet dating. Is there a benchmark? Rather than approach Internet dating as a cure-all, it should be treated as an ancillary service – one that can fill the gaps and expands your prospect pool when you are not being set-up on dates, going through a drought, a stranger in a new town or far too busy at work to have time to meet new prospects. The remainder of your time should be spent exploring other more traditional vehicles.

I think this is just such a fun sauce. I am a real fan of root beer and will often go out of my way for a mug of the stuff. So, why not a …

“On display at the [wedding] reception was an amazing poster…showing Dan and my first week of email conversations with each other…It was as though everyone could witness our first ‘meeting.’ “

In the kosher kitchen, we only have so many ingredients to work with, both at home and professionally. Many ingredients that most chefs take for granted are not part of my daily repertoire due to kosher restrictions. I have a meat and pareve kitchen and cannot just add cream to a soup or sauce to thicken it. I have to work a bit harder and find other ways that fit into the kosher laws. I do not believe in using faux foods for substitutions and I look to natural ingredients that are already kosher and in season. In the spirit of Cucina Povera, I embrace my constraints, accept the materials I have to work with and move on.

He’s cute, smart and successful, but after a year as a JDate.com Subscriber, 38-year-old Darren was getting tired of being rejected by the women he tried to connect with online. He lamented “they just don’t respond to any of my notes and I don’t understand what I am doing wrong,” when he decided to enlist some online dating help from SingleEdition.com.

“It may sound crazy or trite, but we really did fall crazy in love with each other.”

Is age really nothing but a number? We asked JDaters in a recent Topic of the Week how they felt about ageism and romance and received a lot of varied opinions, but it appears that the majority think an age gap is okay. Here are some of our favorite responses.

Question: “Being in my early 40′s, successful, not sure I’m going to have kids and single, I’m finding the qualities I seek in a man have shifted from those I sought in my 20′s and 30′s. I’m meeting some great guys, mostly online. They have their stuff together; they’re successful, maybe have kids and possess a lot of what I look for in a partner (fantastic on paper)…but, there’s no chemistry, no romantic connection and no physical interest.  As much as I try to be open, I know a second date won’t stir that spark. If he asks me out again after that first date, what do I say and how do I be honest without hurting his feelings?”