Protect Your Heart: Safe Dating

I was sitting on a park bench in suburban NJ this week, chatting with a reporter about matchmaking—maybe sparked by The Materialists. After two decades in this business, I could talk forever about what I’ve learned. One idea really stuck with me, and I want to share it with you: red flags.

Red Flags Aren’t Just Warnings—they’re Lessons
Once you truly see patterns and behaviors, it changes how you approach love. Maybe ignorance is bliss, but knowing better is empowering. I’d rather choose among people without red flags than risk my heart on someone incompatible or unsafe. And I am not alone—groups like Are We Dating the Same Guy? and apps tracking problematic behavior show many women think the same way.

Protect Your Heart—And Your SafetyDating apps can be risky. Women (especially those with kids) need to be vigilant. Here’s what I always recommend before meeting anyone new:

Run background checks with services like TruthFinder
Do reverse Google image searches
Verify photos and profiles (even with tools like ChatGPT)
Always have phone and video calls before meeting in person

Matchmaking Taught Me…To see the worst, guard myself, and guard others. You can find love and healthy relationships—but there’s a lot to weed through. My advice: know yourself and what you’re compatible with before getting serious. Protect your heart—it’s worth it.

Dating is messy, sometimes overwhelming, but also full of joy and connection when you know how to navigate it. Take it from me: your heart is precious—treat it that way.