If you're looking around the holiday table and notice you are the only loveless and single one at dinner, don’t let it get you down. It might just be time for you to really jump into the dating scene and go after it. Granted, in the realm of love, that's easier said than done.
Need some inspiration? How about a former news anchor who left behind a successful, illustrious career in order to find Mr. Right?
Julia Yarbough, a two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, worked her way up the ranks as a reporter chasing news from Los Angeles to South Florida, where she ultimately got behind the anchor desk. Despite her popularity, Yarbough decided it was time to leave it all behind.
“I have had a 22-year amazing and exciting career in the TV news business -- awesome travels, excellent friends and unbelievable adventures," she said. "But even with all that, there’s still something missing: a solid and loving relationship.”
With the help of her best friend and journalist Silva Harapetian, the former news anchor quit her job and launched Highwaytoahusband.com. The website chronicles the duo's cross-country adventures to find Yarbough a husband and capture the dating scene across the states.
“On Highwaytoahusband.com, we are telling the stories of the places we go, the people we meet and every odd-ball and quirky experience in-between, including the men I meet and the dates I go on,” Yarbough said. "Silva is my instigator and sometimes plays the role of the gatekeeper."
The adventurers only travel by car and mainly stay at the homes of family and friends. But it has paid off. Thus far, the women have traveled through Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, California, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The girls drove through D.C. and Baltimore about two weeks ago. Yarbough's one night out in the District she described as different.
"We immediately noticed that there are many more women than men. We ventured out to the Dupont Circle area to attend a professional mixer. The folks attending were friendly, but not extremely open (except a married couple we met who were extremely friendly). Even in this 'social' setting, the women and the few men seemed to be reserved; not stand-offish, but not as open and willing to just relax and enjoy the moments. We also noticed, that even at 10pm at night, the men were still in their suits and ties - a very different 'dating' look than we’ve encountered in other cities in which men and women seemed more approachable. After traveling across the country and experiencing the attitudes of cities in the West, South, Midwest and South East, the 'business' feel was noticeable."
Yarbough may have found the District a little short on the friendliness factor, but the bigger point is she has really stopped at nothing on her quest for love. Since the debut of Highwaytoahusband.com in March, Yarbough and Harapetian have appeared on NBC's "Today Show," "The Nate Berkus Show," ESPN and countless local news affiliates and periodicals. Yarbough said it has been a journey of a lifetime.
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“I’m not quite sure who my husband is, but I know he’s not sitting at home waiting for life to come to him," she said. "He’s out following his passions, and the only way for me to meet him is if I do the same.”
So this holiday season -- male or female -- don’t be afraid to arm that mistletoe! Next year, you might just need an extra seat at the dinner table.
