1. You might just find true love
Of course this has to be at the top of the list! If it wasn’t for the possibility of finding the ever-elusive one, then what’s this all been about? Love is literally 50 percent of the word “Love Connection” — the other 50 percent being the word “connection” — so the odds are pretty good. At the very least, you have a better chance of leaving your Love Connection date with an engagement ring around your finger than you do of getting a study room on Clem 2 any time after 3 p.m.
2. You can be part of U.Va. history
Love Connection — like the Jonas Brothers or a boomerang — is coming back. After a long hibernation, Love Connection has returned in honor of The Cavalier Daily’s 130th anniversary. And while The Cavalier Daily has changed a lot over the past 130 years — our website wasn’t quite as good in 1890 — one thing that hasn’t changed is the concept of bragging rights. How would you like to tell your kids that you met their mother because you had read a Top 10 in the 130th anniversary issue of the Charlottesville’s oldest newspaper?
3. You’ll have concrete proof of how you met your significant other
“How I Met Your Mother” ran for nine seasons and 208 episodes. That’s right — those poor viewers had to listen to Josh Radnor drone on about his love life for nine years. And everybody hated the ending anyways, which made the whole thing a waste of time. So instead of boring your future kids to death — and subjecting them to a laugh track — just hand them an issue of The Cavalier Daily and turn to Love Connection. Because that’s how you met their mother.
4. Unlike dating apps, Love Connection doesn’t waste phone storage
What’s the number one complaint about online dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and the chat feature of WordsWithFriends? They take up so much storage space. While my desire to find love is large, my desire to have storage space freed up on my phone for sunset Rotunda pics is larger. Fortunately, Love Connection does not require 1.6 GB to run. All it requires is a painless survey, a positive attitude and risking the fact that you might be paired up with that weird guy from your philosophy discussion. Wait a second — that’s me.
5. Love Connection will get you out of the Aramark bubble
Almost every Love Connection date finds its way to one of Charlottesville’s many exciting local eateries. Whether you meet at Armando’s for tacos, Christian’s for pizza, Pearl Island for Caribbean cuisine or — against all odds — Bodo’s for some delicious bagels, Love Connection is your chance to have an edible meal that is fully-cooked.
6. You’ll be a celebrity
For those of us who are only recognized around Grounds by Ms. Kathy, Love Connection is your chance to make yourself known for something at the University. At the end of most Love Connection interviews, participants rate their date. If you can get it written in print that you are a solid seven, you will never have trouble finding a date again. If you’re given a nine or higher, I’m pretty sure you’ll get free Croads for life — but what would I know? I’m not a nine. Besides this, think about the tangible opportunity that this provides. As previously mentioned, if you sign up for Love Connection, chances are you’ll get featured in a published column about your date. And who doesn’t want to get featured in a newspaper? You can even add that to your resume.
7. You might just make a new friend
I know, I know — “love” is in the name. But the reality is that even when you put two lovely people together, they might not always click. It’s like that time I tried to put Nutella on my Chick-Fil-A sandwich — it might sound great on paper, but it’s hardly love at first taste. However, even if you don’t find your future husband or wife on your Love Connection date, I’d say the odds are pretty good that you’ll leave with a new friend. Or at the very least, a new Instagram follower — that’s just human decency.
8. You can avoid awkward conversations about your love life
Have you ever been to a family reunion, only to be asked by your great aunt if you have a “special someone” in your life? If not, lucky you. But if you have, you know how awkward of a conversation it is to handle. What if you didn’t have to have that conversation at all? If you sign up for Love Connection, you can just hand your nosy great-aunt an issue of The Cavalier Daily, turn to the Life section and let her read about how you disappointed some dude named Aaron by dipping your pizza crust in ranch. That’s from an actual Love Connection article. It’s hilarious.
9. At the very least, you’ll have a good story
Even if the date is an utter disaster, at least you’re walking out with a good story. What if your date pours ranch dressing onto her spaghetti and meatballs? It’s a story for your next icebreaker session. What if your date takes you to an Arby’s and accidentally leaves you in the parking lot? At least you put yourself out there. If your date takes you to a karaoke bar and tries — and fails — to rap the fast verse of Eminem’s “Rap God” six times in a row … then you’ve struck gold.
10. Love Connection makes love easy
No more downloading an app or choosing your best angles for a profile picture on a dating website. You don’t have to swipe, like or poke. All you have to do is fill out a quick survey with fun questions about your spirit animals and music taste. Given that you’ve already endured the arduous, painful and essay-filled college application process to get here, a short survey will be very relieving. It’ll only take a few minutes, and the prize might be love. Love Connection is the perfect investment — very low risk, but potentially a very high reward.
Want to be featured in a future edition of The Cavalier Daily? Sign up for Love Connection — The Cavalier Daily’s matchmaking service — and it’s free of cost! All you need to do is fill out our short form if you’re interested in being set up on a blind date. Next, we’ll set you up with your match and interview you about your date experience. Here are some past examples.
Read More
Cooking, my mother’s love language
By Emilie Kim | YesterdayDespite our different temperaments, my mother and I understand each other perfectly through the language of food.
A bite of home at Barbie’s Burrito Barn
By Sophie Guettel | 2 days agoBarbie’s Burrito Barn is more than just a restaurant — it is a testament to the dreams and hard work of its owner.
The fluffiest Swedish coffee bread
By Finn Trainer | 3 days agoWith its semi-sweet flavor and cloud-like texture, this Swedish coffee bread is a calming, delicious treat to enjoy this finals season.
