All the single ladies... all the single ladies! We heard you, and we have an answer. The inquiry typically goes like this: I'm a single mom, and I'm finally ready to get back out there again and look for love (or just have a little fun getting to know someone). But how? I'm tired of swiping left and right on online dating apps. Oh, and... I won't be going to anybody's bar or club! How do I meet men in person?
We're glad you asked (again and again). Dating - or the desire to do so - is a big part of the Woodlands Mommy community. Our website is a resource for all moms, no matter what stage of life or love you're in. So keep reading for some ideas - from places of worship to finding love through mutual friends, we wish you a great first date (and beyond) with that someone special.
1. CHURCH – Can I get an Amen?
Church is usually a great place for single women to meet new people - whether you're looking for gal pals, community to help you grow in your spiritual walk, or a potential partner. Guess what? You won’t be the only person at church hoping for the chance to find Mr. or Mrs. Right, so no shame in the game. Yes - go to church to enhance your spiritual walk, but no harm in checking out potential partners.
The Woodlands has dozens of churches, so visit around if you don’t already have a church home. Generally speaking, you'll find a greater variety of people (and people with relationship statuses) at larger churches. However, it's usually not as easy to meet people in a stadium-sized sanctuary. The key to making any church or setting seem smaller is to get involved. Be a part of a ministry. Attend church events throughout the week. Join a small group. Find out when the Singles Ministry meets, and make sure your face is in the place!
2. Coffeehouse couples (Hello brew-tiful!)
Coffee shops are a great place to meet new people, but sometimes you have to become a "regular" before things start to happen. We're fortunate to have several copacetic coffee shops in The Woodlands, especially those that are individually owned and tend to have more "atmosphere" and coziness than the typical Starbucks. If you're an entrepreneur, get out of the house sometimes and start doing your work at the coffee shop while also supporting the smaller businesses in our community. You'll start to notice the single men coming and going, and trust me, they'll start to notice you too, sitting there without a ring on it.
3. Fitness Center – “Work it” while you’re working out
It's so cliche to "pick up a man" at the gym, but hey... at least you know he cares about his health and fitness. If you're not already a member of one of the many health clubs in our area, look into Villa Sport or the YMCA in The Woodlands. You're less likely to find your Mr. Right at a group fitness class (you know, it's usually women in those Body Pump and Zumba sessions), but if you regularly spend time on the treadmill or in the weight room, you might catch some eyes.
4. Dog Parks – He Likes Big Mutts and He Cannot Lie!
Though there are several dog parks in The Woodlands, my favorite is the one at Bear Branch Park. Okay, I’m not a pet owner, but the park itself is huge, and the dog park seems to see a lot of activity. Oh, and please have a dog before meandering into the dog park; otherwise, you might look suspicious! Along with this suggestion, taking your pooch out for a walk along the Woodlands hike and bike trails during a busy time of day might put you face to face with some potential suitors.
5. Grocery Store – Lots of snacks here, folks
Stop with the Instacart already, and get your heels on, and head to H-E-B to pick up your own groceries. But pay attention to the ring finger. Plenty of married men are there, picking up stuff for the grocery list. But single men are there too, and oftentimes you can tell their relationship status by what's in their carts. The good thing is that flirting at the grocery store is easy to do, because saying "hello" when you meet someone in an aisle, or "excuse me" if you're squeezing by, is common and not awkward. Editor’s Note: I see a diverse population of men coming into H-E-B Central Market on the regular!
6. At work – Wait...what?
The old adage goes "Don't get your honey where you make your money," and a lot of people would agree. Well, so do I, for the most part, but it's not always a deal-breaker. Most workplaces are full of single people, whether you're flipping fries at Mickey D's or putting on your 3-piece suit and heading to work at a Fortune 500 company. I met my honey at work, and we've been together for 24 years now! If you work in an office suite where there are employees of other companies close by, you never know who you might bump into when you least expect it. So put on your pink dress, and be ready to drop your pen and do the "bend and snap" if it comes down to it.
7. Your child's extracurricular activities – Or should we leave the kids outta this?
Does your son play ball? Does your daughter do ballet? Be an involved parent for a chance to meet that special someone. Lots of phone numbers are exchanged on the ball field.
8. Match-Maker - Hello Cupid!
Remember the old-fashioned way to meet potential dates? A friend (or a friend of a friend) would say "I have somebody I think you should meet!" and the rest would be history (maybe). This is still a very legitimate way to find a suitor, so don't be shy about asking trusted friends and family members if they have any eligible bachelors in their social circles that you might gel with.
9. Volunteer Events – Get Handsy while Lending a Helping Hand
If you have a passion for a special cause, dig in your heels and volunteer. And keep your eyes open, because it probably won't be long until someone else with similar interests comes along, and it would happen to be a single man! The Woodlands Township has volunteer opportunities throughout the entire year. Those in which you might be likeliest to find male volunteers or participants are the 5K races and marathons or other sports-like events.
10. Parties -Ready to shake your Tail Feather?
Don't turn down the opportunity to hang out on a Saturday night. Maybe you’re not the partying type, but I'm not exactly talking about night clubs, neon lights, and cigarette smoke. If your neighbor or a colleague invites you over for their next cookout, consider attending. With lots of people gathered at one event, you never know who you might meet, and it will likely be a good time whether there’s match-making involved or not. So keep an open mind.
11. Library – Check him out while you’re checking out books
I often find a lot of younger adults at the South County library and the Tomball library, studying. They could be married, or maybe not. They are definitely busy hitting the books, so the library might not be the ideal place to strike up conversation all the time, but it might be a good place to check out single guys who are taking college classes or studying for LSATs.
12. Peep the Facebook Events Calendar
If you have social media, keep your eyes peeled for interesting events on the Facebook calendar. There are always new experiences and venues to explore, even it it requires driving a bit further into Houston (which, by the way, is one of the best cities for meeting new people).
13. Take a Trip With Friends – Hit the road, Jack
This isn't a specific "place" to meet your next beaux, but the truth is, sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone, skip town, and let your hair down for some fun. Girls' trips are a great way to make new acquaintances, and the best thing is that you'll have your girlfriends with you for a fun time regardless. So text your besties and start planning a trip to San Diego, New York City, Los Angeles, or even somewhere closer to home like Austin or New Orleans, and be determined to have an open mind and heart! You and your crew are bound to run into eligible bachelors out on the town, at restaurants (just make eye contact and see what happens), an art class, or even a fun cooking class. You'll come back in town feeling refreshed and perhaps ready to kick your dating life up a notch.
