Joey was working three jobs and Donia had just started her busy career in television. Both didn’t have much time to date, but made the effort to each post profiles on Plenty of Fish! This is their story…
What was it about each other’s profiles that drew you in?
Donia’s profile picture definitely caught my attention. I immediately noticed her smile and she had all different kinds of pictures – one with her headset at work, one of her at the gym, another in a tight blue dress heading for a night out on the town. It was her smile in those photos I noticed the most.
I loved all of Joey’s photos! His were diverse as well – he had one hiking and talked about the Appalachian trail, he was wearing a fedora in another and his face was just so sweet. Overall he just seemed like a happy guy.
Did you go on your first date shortly after meeting on POF, or did you chat online for abit?
We chatted online for a bit, about a week and he decided to ask me out. Our first date was the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT and it was his idea. The thing we both really loved about online dating was that we were able to set the speed. We chatted and then when we felt comfortable enough (really early on haha) we met up. There was no pressure and it just felt right.
What topics of conversation were important for you to bring up earlier on in your relationship?
Family: We talked a lot about the importance of family. He comes from a very small one with 1 brother and 1 sister. Meanwhile I’m 1 of 11 kids.
Work: We talked about our work and how we enjoy what we do. I work in television and at the time only had dreams of moving to California and being on camera.
Joey has been there for me from the beginning when I started out as a Production Assistant. We dated for a year and I got the opportunity to move to LA. We did a year long distance and then he proposed and moved to LA to join me. He has always been a hard worker and talked about his 3 jobs. I immediately loved and still love that about him. I know that no matter what happens he will always provide for us.
What do you love most about Joey?
I honestly knew on the first date. I tell people that all the time but only because it’s true. We clicked immediately. He was so easy to talk to and I felt like I could be 100% myself without judgement. There are countless times I’ve seen Joey helping strangers push their cars, or picking up liter when we go on hikes, or making a stranger smile at the grocery store with a funny joke.
What do you love most about Donia?
I loved how generous, honest and pure of a heart she has. She is always giving, even to people she doesn’t know. I remember I watched her put a $20 bill next to a sleeping homeless man on one of our dates while tons of people walked past him. I thought to myself, wow, this girl is really something special
What is your best piece of advice for those dating on Plenty of Fish?
Take your time, HAVE fun and take the pressure off. Go at your own speed, if you’re chatting online and it feels right, meet up. If not then don’t. There is no age that you’re “supposed” to get married or find your soul mate. Good things take time.
On the first date don’t go into like “can this person be MY person?” but more like you’re just making a new friend. You should want to be friends with the person you’re going to end up with. I think that’s why we work, we enjoy being in love but we actually LIKE each other too. We go on adventures, make jokes, have tickle fights and are with each other through the ups and downs.
Relationships take work and we’ve both made that commitment to be there for each other. Make sure that whoever you end up with is on the same page with the things you wish to accomplish in your life and vice versa. When the timing is right your person will come and you’ll be happy you didn’t settle for anything less.
