Let me preface this by saying: Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads areas are out of my driving range. By NC I mean GSO, Durham, High Point and maybe Winston Salem.

Next, my title: on a lot of these singles/dating subs I see the same people post over and over again. How is it that everyone "just wants their person", is "tired of the games and swiping", yet the success rate appears to be 0%? What exactly is the problem?

For me, I match with people on apps (as in they swipe right on me), but they don't send a message. And when I send a message it's radio silence. In person, whenever I approach a guy, he's in a relationship. I don't get approached ever in person, which is why I resort to online options. Lastly, on Reddit, the R4R subs seem like they're just full of h*rny men wanting to get off quickly, or they're looking for some excitement they can't get from their wives (insert eyeroll here).

Now that I have my qualms outta the way, I'm here hoping to find a genuine connection. I'd actually love to have a success story to post. I'd like to swap pics early on because physical attraction is important to me. I don't want to put a pic on this post because of my career, but I don't mind sharing one (SFW) in private.

A little about me: 5'9, black, long hair, perfect smile, career driven, independent, cat lover, Christian (don't be put off, I'm one of the cool ones I promise lol), dark and slapstick sense of humor, fencesitter when it comes to kids, love to cook and eat, hate shopping, novice gardener (as in I have one tomato plant growing in a bucket lol), I like being outdoors in the fall and spring (after the pollen has settled).

You: (about 27-50) I'll give or take a few years on the age, as long as you are also independent and career driven. I can't do mama's boys, sorry. Anything I ask for, I can reciprocate, so please be an independent adult. I hope you have hobbies that are rooted in reality, and like getting outside. Above all, please be a kind person.

I think I'm pretty flexible, willing to compromise, but some things are a hard no. So if you have any children or have tied the knot before or are divorced, those are deal breakers. I also don't like smoking.

Something tells me I'll be downvoted into oblivion, but if this post sticks out to you please feel free to send me a chat :)