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Success Stories and Feedback

We have only put a few here, the list is endless and we don't want to bore you to death. We're just proud of how people view us and our services. Over 40% of our new members in France have joined because they were recommended by a friend. For this we are truly thankful! We hope you will find your partner too via our Dating Site!

Expatica Date brings two expats together

Two expats from the UK found each other via Expatica Dating and have wed October 2008.
If Craig Lovelidge hadn't read though his spam inbox carefully on 22 January 2007, there was a high chance that Cupid's arrow would have gotten lost in cyberspace.

It started with an email
On 22 January 2007, Vicky Hampson sent Craig an email that automatically landed in his spam box. Just as he was about to hit delete he saw Vicky’s name and thought: ‘Who’s' that?’ and clicked on it.

It all started with an email.

The 38-year-old Amsterdam-based, advertising creative director from London had previously spent three hours crafting, writing and re-writing his dating profile. It certainly paid off.
"I was looking for a profile that was interesting and I found Craig’s" said Vicky. "It wasn't the usual blend of hi, I am interested in music etc. It was fun, light-hearted and it made me laugh. That’s what made me contact him."
The correspondence started off innocently enough, with Vicky and Craig expressing some interest in one another via smiley icons. This developed into a chatty email exchange. Then Craig threw out a casual invitation to his birthday celebration, which he was co-DJing.
"I wasn't quite sure if I would be going. I was out with a friend and had a few glasses of wine. By 12.30am, I thought: Why not?" recalled Vicky.
The first encounter between the two Brits was somewhat short of romantic. Vicky, drink in hand, boldly went over to the deck to introduce herself.
"I thought it might be nice to just walk over and introduce myself to him," said Vicky, throwing a mock accusing look at Craig.
"I was concentrating really hard at the moment when Vicky approached me, so I just said something like: Oh yah, thanks." admitted Craig sheepishly.
He quickly realised how rude he had been and got a fellow DJ to cover for him while he walked over to Vicky to apologise and chatted to her for a while.
That did the trick. The next day, Vicky gave Craig a call, asking if he wanted to join her for lunch.
"I was thinking: he has already taken the first step to invite me to his birthday party, so I should also take the initiative to ask him out too."

Craig and Vicky enjoying a day out. - Photo provided by the couple

The lunch date sealed it for them. They went their separate ways to join their friends, but remained in each other's thoughts as they sent text messages throughout the evening.
"I had seen enough, heard enough. I am quite perceptive and Craig seemed like a very honest, genuine and open guy. My instinct told me I should just go for it," said Vicky.
The weeks turned in to months and the two of them spent more and more time with one another. On 6 Jan 2008, slightly less than a year after they met, Craig popped the question – not before he'd paid a flying visit to Vicky's hometown of Liverpool to ask her dad for her hand in marriage.

Online dating – not her usual cup of tea
Vicky is not someone you would expect to have an online dating profile.
The learning and development manager admits she was always a little doubtful about using the Internet as a way of getting to know people – until she moved to Amsterdam two and a half years ago.
New to the country, the 38-year-old was eager to make more friends and expand her social circle.
A frequent visitor to Expatica's site for general and housing information, Vicky found using the Expatica dating service to be the next logical step.
"Having used Expatica, I know that it's reliable," said Vicky.
She also trusted Expatica because "it has a clear target audience of international people who are mobile and have a broader mindset."
But Vicky confessed that she hadn’t had the courage to put her picture online. "I am a private person, and I just wasn't comfortable with putting up a photo up with my profile."
In fact, Craig and Vicky emailed each other for a few weeks before he finally asked for a photo of her.

Craig and Vicky together. - Photo provided by the couple

Why Expatica France dating site?
Unlike Vicky, Craig has no problems with posting information about himself online – especially on Expatica France.

"Expatica France offers confidentiality and that is really important." said Craig.
"I don't want my business associates to do 'Google' me and be able to see what I have posted on my dating profile," he said.

"With online dating, you can pinpoint who you are looking for: a party girl, someone who is religious… It's great especially if you already know what you want in a partner," says Craig.

Vicky has come to terms with telling people that was how they met.

"I used to say that we met through friends," she laughed.

The couple are planning their wedding, to take place in October at a venue outside of Amsterdam.

7 August 2008

By Suzanne Ong

I’ve met the love of my life and we’re engaged!
"I met my now fiancé after only 3 weeks on your website! We exchanged instant chat messages, had web cam chat and then met up for real. I had been single for 5 years while he was living only 15 miles away from me! If it wasn’t for you I would never have found him. Thanks so much!"
Anna

I’m so excited
"I wanted to write and share my excitement. I am no longer a member because I have met the love of my life on your site! Due to work commitments we have only been able to see each other at weekends but we are moving in together next month – yippee!
Thanks for your help! "
Angus

I will be recommending you to my friends!
"Thank goodness for your Expatica France website – I joined a few months ago and met Terry. We got on so well when we met up that we both fell for each other, we have been seeing each other ever since and are very loved up! We’re even planning our future together. I’m 30 and have never been in love before.
I’ve told all of my single friends about you!"
Maureen x

Ben and Hajnal "We are happy to hear somebody noticed our "romance"..:) It's a really simple story, we are both open for new things, and we never scared to change on our life.
....and we are both crazy...:)

We started to change few messages only 6-7weeks ago? on the francedating.expatica.com website. We were there from different reasons, He was looking for the real one,I (Hajnal) just wanted to try something new way to find somebody, i didn't hope any luck.... At the first time I (Hajnal) thought He (Ben) is too young, but after few days We both realised we were born for each other. We are both believe in destiny.
So actually in the first week we started to chat and than speak in our all free time on the skype.
For hours....there wasn't left any secret, we were really honest . We knew it's going to be something special.
Finally we spent a wonderful week together in Budapest, and we already know it wasn't only a dream. We both fell in love before the first meet, and it's getting stronger. I'll travel to Switzerland on next week as well, and we are ready for our feature...."
Ben and Hajnal
xxx

"... Best wishes to everyone at francedating.expatica.com, just wanted to let you know we got married last week, we both feel wonderfully happy and know that you must bring a lot of joy to a lot of people, God bless you"
Midge and Karen

"... You gotta be so lucky making so many people so happy in Paris, what a great site and a wonderful support you have been. I know you care, because you cared when I needed it, thanks girls, its nice to know there is caring ladies out there rather than a cold dating site".
Mai lee

"... I was a little worried about joining a dating site and I did have one problem when I first joined, I suppose its inevitable with so many people on the site, but one guy was really rude. I told you about it and you dealt with it so quickly. Do you know I even had an apology back from the guy and we're having our first date next week :) "
jeney34

"... after joining I had no idea that your support staff were not only there for technical issues, but offering personal tips too!! Thank you to the ladies on the support team, you really made me feel welcome".
Tony4utoo

"... Thanks so much for all your help with personally matching me to my now fiance, its a great feeling being in love again after all these years bless you all".
Patrick

"... I was referred by my best friend, who just found the love of his life, I am looking now and having a great time too"
Dinner4two

"I want you all to know that i really appreciate your concern..........I was damn surprise about it, thank you so much...., I really appreciate your kindness.......
I LOVE YOU ALL OUT THERE !!!!
malik

"... I wish you well too and i want to say that i have really enjoyed this remote connection between us. Keep it up, you are great guys and gals"
Tom

"... I was searching the web and your site offered the most benefits of all the dating web sites"
majie

"... thanks so much for the birthday wishes...really made my day....you are great and so is your site..."
carol

"... you have been given the dubious honor of winning the Funky Turtle Award For Coolness... for your site".
Jamey

".... dear Jane, Robert, Alex, Mike and Karen .Thank you for every thing and I hope to all in a good health , and thank you about kindness" "... I saw web site! I decide to download a Chatterbox v 1.6. I hope that I will enjoy it. I will share with my friend who have a computer. keep up work very well!"
mccraigfields

"... I found you from CNET saw it there, and i was looking for something other than ICQ, MSN or ODIGO or what ever so glad i found u guys! :)"
dreamvampire