Ah, if only meeting the right one was so easy. The countless online dating sites, traditional personal ads, and speed dating events here in Richmond prove that thousands of area singles are still looking for that special someone, this writer included. And many of us aren’t even looking for Mr. or Ms. Right.

Kim lives in Richmond while Ken lives in  Charlottesville, but this It Takes 2 couple enjoys fishing together, and they regularly take advantage of central Virginia’s gorgeous fall weather.

Sometimes it’d just be nice to share great conversation over a delicious meal.
So if the bar scene, mutual friends, co-workers, church, the coffee shop, blind dates and the gym have failed to turn up a lady or gentleman with whom you can be yourself, then perhaps it’s time to visit Carrie Daichman, owner of It Takes 2, Virginia’s exclusive matchmaking service.
Gregarious and compassionate, Daichman is instantly likeable. It’s no wonder that she spends her days chatting with clients and introducing them to one another. Potential clients come to her at all ages and for a variety of reasons, but the common denominator is that they want to meet other sincere singles. Daichman considers herself a relationship broker, “I’ll do the hard work for you,” she said. And so I began to contact some of her clients, to do my due diligence as a writer of this article and with more than a passing personal interest.
Leslie, age 30, joked about her “string of bad dates and interactions with crazy men,” some of whom she met on the Internet. Another client, age 60, felt that being single “was a series of peaks and valleys.” Through It Takes 2, dating “became pretty simple.” As a matchmaker, Daichman takes much of the guess work out of the initial “get to know you” phase of dating. Her screening process is a thorough exploration of who you are and what kind of person you want to meet. With questions about your lifestyle, values, free time, long term goals, and more, Daichman really does get to know the real you and can discern the kind of person who might suit you. Part intuitive and part analytical, the matching process works because Daichman has a knack for reading people and making them feel comfortable. Dee, age 41, said, “She’s so laid back. It’s like talking to a friend you’ve known forever.”

Leslie, 31, was referred to It Takes 2 by a friend after she had “a string of bad dates” but has been “pleasantly surprised to be matched with men in their early to mid thirties.”

After your initial consultation, Daichman culls through her database of active clients to fi nd your fi rst introduction. She delivers basic information to you, and then shares more details about your match’s personality and interests over the phone.
Once you’ve heard about each another from Daichman, youand your match are free to move forward and set up a
first date.

Let The Fun Begin

The It Takes 2 process makes dating fun again. Because thepeople you go out with have already been screened (imagine an uber-selective mom who has your interests at heart, not her own), the chances of having an enjoyable date are much better.

Kathy, age 38, appreciates that she doesn’t have to wonder about the “big questions” now when she goes out on a date. She already knows whether her match is marriage minded or wants kids, and she can rest easy knowing more about his background. She said, “Knowing a little bit about someone gives you a jumping off point for conversation. It makes those fi rst few dates so much more comfortable.” Another client gets excited about meeting people outside of her social circle. Even though she’s active and has a variety of interests, she enjoys meeting men through It Takes 2 who are single and around her own age. Mitch has found some good connections and acknowledges that it’s a subjective process; not every introduction was perfect. Still, he said, “I enjoy It Takes 2 and how it fi ts into my social life. I’ve had good dates and made nice friends. It’s a positive; there’s no downside because it’s just another way to meet people.” Overall, personal matchmaking may be one of the safest ways to meet new people, and the It Takes 2 database is continually growing, affording Richmond-area singles the opportunity to meet new friends and potentially their soul mates.

“As a professional person who is really busy, it’s a great way to meet and new interesting people. I haven’t been out with anyone I didn’t enjoy meeting,” said client Kirsten.

The process seems to be working.
Numerous couples credit It Takes 2 for their happy marriages. Of the folks I’ve talked to for this article, most have had long term relationships thanks to Daichman, and all had overwhelmingly positive opinions of her efforts as a matchmaker. Indeed, if Kathy could do it all over again, she said, “I would have signed up 10 years ago!” Point made. I’ll be visiting It Takes 2 for my interview in the next few weeks and hope that you will, too. Great dates, the potential to meet new people, make new friends and maybe even fi nd love….what are we waiting for?

Note: Some names have been changed to protect the privacy of It Takes 2 clients.

Contact Carrie Daichman:
It Takes 2
4050 Innslake Drive, Suite 110 • Glen Allen, VA 23060
804-967-9911 (phone) • 804-967-9366 (fax)
434-977- 9911 (Charlottesville)
MeetRight1@aol.com (email )
www.ittakes2online.com (web)

ADVERTISING FEATURE BY LAUREN FRITSCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARL BICKEL

Writer Lauren Fritsch, 27, was convinced to become an It Takes 2 client after hearing so many  success stories as she researched this article.