Vicki & David (40-somethings)

After being married for 25 years, David found himself single again. For Vicki, she was also single after 18 years of marriage -- but without realizing it, they already shared something similar.

Both in their 40s, and with three girls each, David and Vicki also shared a dislike for the pub and club scene, and of trying to find a partner through newspaper ads.

They both turned to Vital Partners, and are now happily planning their own wedding.

For David, who works in the city, had almost given up hope of meeting someone special.

"I certainly had enough of checking out the pubs and clubs and trying to get friends to set me up. I guess I was at the point where I said to myself that if meeting someone is meant to be then it will just happen when the time is right and when I least expect it," he said.

"Then one day I spotted the Vital Partners ad and thought that seemed like it was a much better way to go, because they can screen and match you with people of similar likes and dislikes,."

Vicki said she had also grown tired of trying to find a new partner.

"I decided to select Vital as I had seen it advertised quite a lot and had heard a little about it from a work colleague who had tried the agency," she said.

"I was sitting around with some girlfriends on a Saturday afternoon, talking about how hopeless it was to meet a decent guy in this city. That's how it started. The very next day I saw Vital's ad and decided to give it go -- "what have I got to lose" sort of thing, and here I am, a year later talking about walking down the aisle with David, and it has just been amazing.

Living within your own little circle of friends can limit hope of meeting someone special, especially when you know most people in your area.

"I was going out regularly with friends from work but to no avail. I did try "Connections " in the Advertiser a few times and spoke to a few guys over the phone, but didn't really click with anyone."

Like many others in their situation, neither David or Vicki liked the idea of trying their luck on the internet. The lack of privacy and confidentiality, and no proper screening processes, are among the key reasons people continue to choose Vital Partners over internet dating sites.

"It's safe and secure and as a single woman, that was really important to me. The internet just doesn't give you that security. It just seemed like a much better way to go because they can screen and match you with people of similar likes and dislikes," Vicki said.

Once David and Vicki had both made contact with Vital Partners, their consultants talked them through the process. After an interview, questionnaire and photo session, both were given several options of potential partners.

"I felt the interviewer was very caring and genuinely show interested in helping me and she was quite happy to sit and listen to my previous history. I really liked the photo they took and felt quite confident with the whole appointment," Vicki said.

"They did send me two or three profiles to look at, so you can say yes or no to them. When I saw David's profile I really liked his smile and bright eyes in his photo, so I said 'yes' and lucky for me he agreed as well. We then met for coffee, then dinner the next night and had a really lovely and romantic night I will never forget.

"From then on we never looked back and I feel we both knew that we would always be together because it just felt so right, comfortable and we clicked so well together. "

David also recalls a positive time with the Vital consultants.

"The consultants at Vital actually gave you the feeling that they cared about you and would go out of their way to help you in your endeavours to find that one special person in your life," he said.

"Vital had sent me a number of contacts of which I spoke to a few of them over the phone, however they just didn't give me the feeling that they where right for me.

"I had been out with a few different people in the mean time but they seemed to have their own agenda's and I didn't feel that we had any future together.
During this time I received Vicki's profile and I'm not sure what it was -- I think it was her eyes - I decided to give her a call. I couldn't get her out of my mind and basically we hit it off straight away from the moment we spoke."

They are now planning to marry next year, and Vicki is moving to the city.

Their blended family of six girls is also enjoying the new relationship. "We both play big parts in our daughters' lives and were both very family orientated, each love a good laugh which he always makes me feel happy and loved all the time," Vicki said.

Vicki also has some advice about people thinking about using a dating agency.

"Sometimes it's so hard to met anyone especially if you don't go out very much and even worse if you live in a small country town or a large city. This is a great way to find love everyone deserves to be happy, so I would say go for it! You only live once, its secure and safe and well monitored by Vital. So you don't have anything to lose just everything to gain," she said.

And David agrees -- "I urge people in our own situation to give Vital a go. It is much easier, more discreet, no pressure on friends to set you up and the fact you can set your guidelines of the people you wish to meet is extra security."