Browsing for love
Franklin College’s own campus minister, David Weatherspoon, became engaged March 7 to his girlfriend after the two met through the online dating site eHarmony.
A match that fit perfectly became serious after about five months.
“We knew something was going to be more in December,” Weatherspoon said.
But it wasn’t until January when the couple really started talking about spending their lives together.
What started as just a beautiful, sunny day in March turned into the day Weatherspoon was going to pop the big question.
He said after two days of having the ring it was burning a hole in his pocket.
Sarah, Weatherspoon’s fiancée, thought it was a nice day to take a walk through a park near an observatory, which is where they had their first date.
“The observatory is a special place for both of us. That’s how I knew that that was the day,” Weatherspoon said. “She couldn’t have picked a better place to go.”
They had just bought a new camera and decided it might be a good day to have fun figuring out how to use it.
Sarah decided to bring the camera along, and when Weatherspoon asked her to take a picture of him.
He went down on one knee.
“I told her that I was getting ready to ask her a very important question,” he said.
Weatherspoon proposed, and she still took the picture.
eHarmony didn’t just work for Weatherspoon on campus. Justin Gash, professor of mathematics, also found a matchmaker and is now married to her.
Gash also proposed after about five months.
He said he realized it was fast but believes eHarmony really matches people that make a good fit.
“Together we’re perfect. It’s cheesy, but it’s true,” Gash said.
Gash said he believes that prioritizing what he wanted from a relationship really helped eHarmony make the right match.
“The standards were set from the beginning, it made everything easier,” Gash said.
Weatherspoon had been on dates with other women he met on eHarmony before he met Sarah, but said he had never had a bad date. There was always good conversation because he knew something about the girl before the date.
He was first attracted to Sarah’s profile.
“I liked that she was so well read in faith dialogue,” Weatherspoon said.
Weatherspoon said he and Sarah have their own personalities, but share
some interest in the same things.
The couple now loves to share their passions and hobbies. They love to read and run together. Sarah is even teaching Weatherspoon how to play the piano.
“I wasn’t matched with her just because we’re the same person,” Weatherspoon said.
He said that when they first started talking they had a lot of similar life experiences and values that enabled them to fall in love so fast.
Weatherspoon said they are looking at the fall for their wedding date that will be in Dallas, Texas so her family can be present.
“Our families are really excited and so are we,” Weatherspoon said.
"eHarmony didn’t just work for Weatherspoon on campus. Justin Gash, professor of mathematics, also found a matchmaker and is now married to her." I hope Prof. Gash found a "match" & not a "matchmaker."
