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Looking for a Valentine?

Nicole Fallert   Paste BN

Erin Jensen has tried dating apps. She's been set up on blind dates. Events for singles in her area have lost their allure.

But she still dreams of that "Sleepless in Seattle" moment: One day the elevator doors will open and she'll greet the love of her life, magically standing before her with open arms to make a beautiful long life with. Sure, romance movies and novels may sound too good to be true. But Jensen, 37, believes she is still single for a reason: She just hasn't met that person yet.

So Jensen, a journalist who covers television for Paste BN, is conducting a search across the country for one extraordinary valentine.

👋 Nicole Fallert here and welcome to Your Week, our newsletter exclusively for Paste BN subscribers (that's you!). This week, we talk with Paste BN's Erin Jensen about the newsroom's unique USAtoDATE project.

Here are a few more headlines I've read this week from Paste BN:

A dream date in New York City

When piles of snow were recently dumped on Jensen's street, she immediately ran to her neighbor's house to knock on the door. Her neighbor said she had to get to work online.

"No way!" Jensen said were her thoughts. "We've got to at least have a little bit of a snow day!"

It's this kind of attitude that Jensen is looking for in a life partner: Someone who can find the fun in anything, from a car drive to winter weather. She wants someone who shares her value of faith ("church on Sundays are a must," she says), enjoys adventures near or far and appreciates sharing family time — e.g., attending her nieces' dance recitals as their biggest fan. And they have to think she's as funny as she thinks she is.

But how to find that person? Feeling exhausted by traditional dating venues, Jensen went to Paste BN for help: If we asked our readers to submit applications for a dream Valentine's Day date, would her one true love come to light?

Given Paste BN's distinct national audience and robust social media presence, her editors knew our newsroom was the best to take on the special project. So we launched USAtoDate, breaking the barrier between journalist and reader to bring people (like you!) into our Paste BN family.

"I always had this fantasy, I grew up loving romantic comedies, and the idea has crossed my mind that with Paste BN, we could do a search among its readers and perhaps they know my person or are my person," she said. "I decided to put myself out there."

Check out Erin's personal essay naming the criteria of what she's looking for in a date. Writing this felt like sharing a "diary entry" to the world, she said. But baring all will hopefully yield a partner, she says.

So far, Jensen has felt gratitude seeing the submissions roll in for a chance at a Valentine's Day date (ideally set in romantic wintry New York City). She'll be rewatching applicants' videos multiple times to get a sense of their personality and discover what's important to them in a couple.

"It really hit me to see the submission videos," she said. "What I've gotten back is so vulnerable. People are so sweet and open."

She's thankful she can do this project with Paste BN specifically because of the national reach of the paper. And, of course, for her colleagues (like me!) who believe in her and want to see her love for life shine in a relationship.

"I feel so lucky to have such supportive co-workers," she said. "They have worked on everything behind the scenes. Some of them have asked if they'll get an invite to the wedding!"

USAtoDATE: Do you have relationship advice to live by? A cute first date story? Please share with us

But Jensen says she knows not everyone gets the chance to date this way. As we head into February (aka Valentine's Day month), she recommends not letting the emphasis on love get you down. Instead, put yourself out there and remain hopeful.

"I think the attitude that 'I'm going to meet someone' makes you take chances you wouldn't otherwise," she said. "I fully believe if you think things are going to happen, it drives your actions."

💞 If you or someone you know would make a great date for Erin: Nominate yourself or someone else at this link or using the form below. In addition to answering a few, short questions, you’ll also need to upload a photo (I bet you’re so photogenic!) and a short video. But act quick: Submissions close at 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 26! Check out participant rules and eligibility here. 💞

Read more about love from Paste BN:

Thank you

I'm thankful for the opportunity to work with incredible colleagues like Erin. Fingers crossed for her search for love! Thank you for supporting our journalism with your subscription. Our work wouldn't be possible without you. 

Best wishes, 

Nicole Fallert

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