I picked up the loveline

Frustration bubbled as I checked my mobile for what felt like the hundredth time that day. ‘You heard from that guy yet?’ my mate, Sam*, asked.

‘Nope,’ I groaned, shoving my new BlackBerry Pearl back into my pocket with a sigh. ‘Why is it so hard to meet a nice man?’

I’d moved from Liverpool to West London two years ago and thought it would be a doddle meeting a hot lad in such a big city.

But there seemed to be a lot more frogs than princes in the big smoke. 

‘Since you’re never off that BlackBerry, why don’t you try finding a boyfriend through your mobile phone?’ Sam suggested.

I laughed. I’d seen TV ads for finding dates through mobile phones. ‘No way,’ I said. ‘That’s for weirdos.’ 

Sam folded her arms, pretending to be offended. ‘I’ve done it,’ she said ‘It was good fun.’ 

My nose crinkled.‘I don’t think it’s my cup of tea,’ I said.

But later, as I sat watching EastEnders alone, I felt a pang of curiosity. Grabbing my phone, I downloaded a dating application called Flirtomatic.

‘What am I doing?’ I grimaced, as I added a picture of myself to my new dating profile.

As I browsed the guys, I was impressed. They weren’t bad. Then, before I went to bed, a message pinged on my phone. You look hot, it read.

Excitement shot through me.  Over the next month, I received messages from about 20 men. 

Then I noticed James Hobson, 27, had rated my photo a four out of five.

Just after, my phone beeped. I like your pic, it read. Want to chat?

In his photo, James looked really hot with spiky hair. 

Over the next few weeks, we texted around 30 times a day, getting to know each other. It was very safe. 

Eventually, I took the BlackBerry boy by the horns. Want to meet up? I nervously typed.

A minute later, my phone beeped. I’d like that, came the reply.

We arranged a day at London Zoo and it couldn’t have gone better. James looked even hotter in real life and we clicked instantly.? 

After that, we met up for drinks and became a couple weeks later. 

Three years on, we’re still together and are getting married in April 2011. We haven’t planned everything yet but my 70-year-old nan is making my wedding dress.

I’m glad I picked up the loveline.

*Sam is a false name

?When meeting someone for the first time, meet on common ground and always tell someone where you are going. flirtomatic is available at www.getjar.com