Looking for love? Area woman has been making matches for the past six years

[ Originally published on: Monday, February 11, 2008 ]

GREENFIELD -- Lanie Delphin has seen the results of matches made in Heaven, but she's trying to help a little by making a few here on Earth.

Delphin found her true love, Bud, through a dating service she joined years ago. The couple was so impressed by their success, they started their own matchmaking business six years ago and today, Delphin has lots of success stories.

''This isn't Internet dating,'' said Delphin, owner of Mass Match Western Massachusetts. ''This is a very local and affordable service that helps local people find someone.''

Most of Mass Match's members live between eastern Connecticut and the Vermont and New Hampshire borders, with the majority living in western Massachusetts.

''I'm contacted at least once a week and told a story about a happy couple who met through me,'' said Delphin. ''Four weddings came out of all of this last fall.''

Delphin's clients range in age from 20 to 80. They all have different stories, she said.

''Some are single, some divorced and some widowed,'' she said. ''They've decided they're ready to start dating and want to find a good, healthy relationship.''

Delphin coaches her clients in everything from how to act on a first date to how to make dating fun and how to make a good impression.

Most of her clients fill out the application online and about 99 percent choose the program that gives them the opportunity to meet Delphin and go over the application, which gives her a real sense of the person and what he or she wants.

''It's nice to have the opportunity to coach people,'' said Delphin. ''I tell my clients people make three major mistakes when they're meeting someone new: they share too much of their personal life too quickly, they come across as being bitter or negative and they act like they're too busy to date.''

Delphin suggests to her clients a coffee date as the first date.

''You don't want to rush things,'' she said. ''You just want some time for conversation.''

Delphin said because her business operates on such a personal level, she doesn't get clients who are playing games or are not really ready to meet someone.

''I sift through the applications and talk to people and only work with the ones who are serious,'' she said. ''I don't tolerate rude people and I don't think everyone has to be looking for permanent, but just someone they get along with.''

Delphin has hundreds of clients, both men and women.

''There are more women in the valley, but everyone seems to be doing fine finding dates,'' she said. ''Not all of them work out, but you just get back out there and meet the next person.''

It makes Delphin happy to know she's helped a couple come together to find happiness.

''Bud and I were recently at a restaurant having a snack and I introduced him to a client who happened to be sitting nearby,'' said Delphin. ''She told me she was having a first coffee conversation with a match I had made for her. She e-mailed me a few weeks later to say she is really enjoying getting to know this fellow and feels very comfortable with him.

''Wouldn't that be serendipitous if they end up together and I was actually physically present at their first meeting? I often think about clients who I know are going on first dates, but it is fun to think I might be with them in more than spirit,'' said Delphin.

Delphin receives testimonials about successful dates and relationships each week at her Web site. She said she can't wait to go there to find out what some other successful client, who is in love or who has potentially met the right one, has to say.

''Mass Match shouldn't be thought of as a measure of last resort -- it should be thought of as a first resort,'' said Delphin. ''This is a mission for me. It's a lot of work, but, boy, does it feel good when I know someone's life has changed for the good because of me.''

Delphin isn't that interested in Valentine's Day when it comes to her clients.

''It's hype,'' she said. ''Love isn't about chocolates and flowers for one day; it's about finding that one special person who will make every day Valentine's Day.''

To contact Lanie Delphin at Mass Match, call (413) 665-3218 or visit: www.massmatch.com.

 

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