Finding Happy With eHarmony (And a Chance to Win a $100 Visa Gift Card!) (CLOSED)

I think everyone has that friend. That friend who is amazing and fantastic and wonderful, and you just can't figure out why they haven't found The One. In fact, that friend is so amazing and fantastic and wonderful you can't even think of someone to hook them up with because he or she is too good for anybody you know.

Good news, kids. It all works out in the end. In the past year, I've watched not one but two of my most amazing single friends find The One. Just thinking about how happy they are now makes me break out in a smile as big as the sun.

One of those friends, Jennifer, immediately came to mind when I received an email from BlogHer asking if I knew anyone who had found love using eHarmony. Jennifer should work for eHarmony's marketing department because HOOBOY does she sing their praises! Jennifer is an incredibly gorgeous, sweet, outgoing, energetic, and hysterical 30-something who is now engaged to Brian.

I sent Jennifer some questions, and here's what she had to say:

How did you meet?

Well, we first "met" on eHarmony. After a few months of emailing and IMing back and forth, we finally decided to meet for real at Primanti Brothers. Our first date was spent watching the Pens play while we destroyed some sammiches. LOL.

Why did you decide to try eHarmony?

I did it after a dare from a friend! Really!

I had been using another online dating site to meet people for a while and just kept striking out. The guys who would contact me were not my type at all, and the guys I contacted were total duds. My friend Sara and I were talking about how bad the whole dating thing was going when she mentioned that eHarmony has detailed questionnaires that are used to recommend people who are a better match based on personality traits. We joked that any system that thought it could find a match for my personality was crazy. Sara dared me to try it and see what kind of "loser" eHarmony would think would match my personality, so I did.

Only Brian isn't a loser at all! He's the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. eHarmony was right when it suggested that we meet!

When did you first know Brian was The One?

Oh, that's a good question. I think I knew within the first few minutes of our first date. We just clicked so perfectly! I didn't realize I knew he was the one for another month or so, though. I was telling a friend about Brian, and she asked if we were an official thing. I just kept thinking, "I hope we are!"

That weekend we had "The Talk" and agreed we were an official thing. A year later he proposed!

So, what's next?

WE'RE GETTING MARRIED! Crazy, isn't it? I'm pretty sure my parents thought I was going to be a single cat lady forever. LOL.

The wedding is in March, so we're really busy trying to put together the final details. I know it sounds sappy, but I can't wait to begin spending forever with my best friend.

I kind of want to make fun of Jennifer for her "sappy," but it's way too fantastic seeing her so happy. I'll just sit here and smile instead.

And now a chance for you to smile. BlogHer and eHarmony have given me a $100 Visa gift card to give away. All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win it is to leave a comment telling me what personality trait is a MUST in a partner and why.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 2/14/2012 - 3/15/2012.

Visit the BlogHer.com eHarmony page to check out more blogger success stories and for more chances to win!

Shattered

Nearly two weeks later, I still haven't written the post that I need to write. And here I am not doing it again because it's easier that way. It's easier to lock the memories in a box, shove it to the back of the highest shelf of an unused closet, and just do my best to move on.

It's ridiculous to hide from your own story, but that's what I'm doing. At least for now.

It's even more complicated than that, though. Everything I put in this space right now comes with an extra dose of complication and stress. That's what happens when you are actively sending out resumes and know a Google search of your full name can potentially land in this not-fit-for-the-corporate-world space. It's a bit of a journey to land here with that search, but it's possible. I've never felt the need to throw additional roadblocks into that path, but I've never had to worry about total strangers who are evaluating the quality of my character finding words not intended for their quest.

Like I said--It's complicated.

But I am going to write that post and that post and most especially THAT post. They need to be written. Even through my fog of self-preservation, I've noticed the trend. Since I hit publish on the only post I've ever regretted posting, I've received email after email and DM after DM and a few dozen emails on top of that. Each and every one of the messages filled with kindness have been littered with a heavy dose of "you're not alone."

My story is your story.

Except, when you tell your story, you sometimes say things like, "I didn't want to say this where others would see it."

I get that. Obviously. I totally and completely get that.

And yet, SCREW THAT. There is no reason to be ashamed of your story. There is no reason to talk about miscarriages in whispered voices and behind locked doors and only through the safety of a private email.

Seriously. SCREW. THAT. NOISE.

I need to get through this fog and I need to let a little time pass, but I will write those posts.

I promise.

(Thank you to everyone who has sent words of encouragement. I'm sorry that I haven't been replying, but I've been putting self-preservation ahead of good manners recently. I hope you'll understand.)

Red Hot Popcorn

So, internet, how do you feel about these little guys?

Whether you call them Red Hots or Cinnamon Imperials or Those Little Red Things, I probably don't have to tell you that I'm a fan. I heart them, n'at.

I heart them even more when they're on popcorn.

OH. YES. I. DID.

It's Caramel Corn, but with a twist. A big twist because there is no caramel involved. Red Hot Popcorn is the perfect blend of hot and sweet. I made it this weekend to send with Alexis to school for her Valentines Party, but then I had to make it again because we kind-of-sort-of-maybe ate it all before I could put it in treat bags. WHOOPS.

Fortunately, it's really very easy to make. You start by melting one cup of butter in a pan.

And you add 1/2 cup of corn syrup. (I didn't say this was a "healthy" recipe. Ahem.) (Although, now that I do the math, the finished product comes in around 150 calories per cup. Not terrible.)

Pour in a bag of cinnamon imperials.

And I do mean the WHOLE bag. Go big or go home!

You're going to let that simmer over medium heat for a few minutes. Every once in a while, stir the good stuff up.

It's going to seem like the candy is never fully going to melt, but hang in there.

Because after about 8-10 minutes of simmering, you're going to have some cinnamon-flavored liquid gold in your pot.

Once it's melted, you get to pour the tasty stuff over some popcorn.

And then mix it all up.

It will be a little sticky at this point, but that's OK. Spread it out in the biggest oven-safe pan you can find and toss it in the oven at 200 degrees for an hour.

Every once in a while, stir the good stuff up. You'll soon be rewarded with not sticky Red Hot Popcorn that is just the right amount of crispy and OMG SOOOOO GOOD.

It freezes well, so you don't have to worry about making too much. Just split it up between a few freezer bags and you'll have a fantastic snack ready whenever you need it.

Red Hot Popcorn

8 quarts popped popcorn (it doesn't matter how you make it--microwave, stove top, whatever)
1 cup butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 bag (14 oz) Cinnamon Imperials

1. Start by making your popcorn. Place it in a large bowl(s) and set aside. (I had to use 3 bowls because I didn't have one that was big enough to hold it all.)

2. In a large saucepan, combine the butter, corn syrup, and cinnamon imperials. Simmer over medium heat until completely melted (8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.

3. Pour the melted candy over the popcorn. Toss to coat evenly.

4. Place the Red Hot Popcorn in a large oven-safe pan and bake at 200 degrees for one hour. Be sure to stir every 15 minutes or so, breaking up any large clumps.

5. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.

It's some seriously good stuff. You should probably be jealous of the kindergarteners who are each getting a bag of their own.

Especially since they're getting it mixed with some of the most perfect Caramel Corn ever. (You'll just have to wait for that recipe.)