Increase Your Chance At Finding Love With These Unusual Dating Apps

Yesterday (Sunday, January 7th) was "Dating Sunday." It's the busiest day of the year for online dating. Now, I've been out of the dating game since 2011 when I met my wife. Thank goodness too, because I don't think I'm built for today's single life. However, my brother, Luis, just recently became single and Valentine's Day is just weeks away.

Luis and I grabbed some tacos after the Luke Bryan show on Saturday and I thought it'd be fun for him to check out some of the more "unique" dating apps. What he and I discovered is that there are some really strange ways to meet people. But hey, who knows? Perhaps one of these apps will be his ticket to love... or at least a good laugh!

The first site that popped up when I did a google search for "Unique Dating Apps" was Bristlr. It's an app for beard lovers. I'll be honest with you, my brother and I were not gifted with the genetics to grow a decent beard. He and I have attempted "No Shave November" and the results were honestly pathetic. Haha! So, I think this one is not going to be a good fit for my brother.  However, someone reading this might be able to use the app.

Next up is Farmers Only. Out of all the apps I discovered, this is the only one I've heard about. Farmer's Only is an online dating site for those who prefer the country life. Something you may not know about me is that my family has a farm in New Mexico... Farmer's Only is perfect for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, working with animals, or just the simple pleasures of rural living. I've been telling my brother for ages that country girls are the best, so maybe Luis will find his perfect country match?

If you believe that everything is better with bacon, you might want to check out Sizzl. I told you, some of these are weird. This app comes from the fine folks at Oscar Mayer, and it promises to connects bacon enthusiasts based on their love for that crispy goodness. If Ron Swanson were a real person, I think he'd use Sizzl.

Finally, our favorite app we discovered was Tindog. It's like Tinder, but for dog lovers. My brother is a big dog person, so this could be a great way for him to meet other dog owners and maybe even find a partner who shares his love for canines.

My brother said he isn't truly ready to get back to the days scene, but he and I had a good laugh (and lots of tacos) looking up all these sites.

There can be a lot of pressure and expectations around Valentine’s Day. A great Valentine's Day can be great for a relationship: if handled well, it can take a budding relationship to the next level. Or it can reignite a relationship that is years, or even decades, old.

On the other hand, a poorly executed Valentine's Day can have significant drawbacks, casting a shadow on a relationship. Failing to invest time in planning a meaningful day or falling short of expectations can lead to feelings of disappointment and resentment.

Driver Research reveals that Valentine's Day is celebrated by as many as 52% of consumers. Approximately 224 million roses are grown exclusively for the holiday, and about 3 out of every 10 Americans end up accumulating credit card debt due to their Valentine's Day spending.

Some people set unrealistic expectations for Valentine’s Day, setting themselves up for potential disappointment. But it's important to realize the day is about celebrating love, not showing off.

Another common pitfall is assuming their partners can read their minds about what they want on Valentine’s Day. It’s better to be clear about your wishes to avoid disappointments.

While gifts are always appreciated, it's important to remember that the value lies in the thought and effort behind the gift, not the price tag. Social media can exacerbate this pressure, with people flaunting extravagant gifts and experiences. Every relationship is unique, and there's no need to compare your Valentine’s Day with others.

Additionally, love shouldn't be confined to a single day a year. Consistently expressing love and appreciation throughout the year can alleviate stress associated with Valentine’s Day. Simple, spontaneous gestures, such as leaving a heartfelt note or a surprise gift, can go a long way in making someone feel loved and appreciated.

If you've had a not-so-great Valentine’s Day, learn from it and avoid these common mistakes next time. Take a look at some of the common Valentine’s Day mistakes to steer clear of for a smoother and more enjoyable celebration.

Having no plans, even with good intentions, can make you seem inconsiderate and unmotivated. While it's tempting to resort to last-minute convenience-store flowers or a generic box of chocolates, your partner likely knows you're more creative. Avoid scrambling to find the perfect last-minute Valentine's Day gifts. Instead, have a plan in place, making your partner feel valued with the thought you put into it ahead of time.

Valentine's Day is a peak time for restaurants, spas, and getaways, so avoid waiting until the eleventh hour to snag your spot. Many places fill up weeks or even months before the big day. According to Taste of Home, it's wise to plan and secure a reservation five to six weeks in advance. Mark it on your calendar to avoid any slip-ups. If you realize you forgot, try calling around to see if any restaurants have last-minute openings, or opt for a cozy romantic dinner at home.

Surprises are great, but when you gift your partner chocolate and roses and they surprise you with a trip to Hawaii or a new car, it can be a bit awkward. Although it's uncommon to have such a huge difference in gift budgets, having a quick chat before Valentine's Day can be beneficial. Set some guidelines. Maybe agree on a small budget, like under $20, or consider pooling funds for a more extravagant joint experience.

People often make the mistake of organizing Valentine's Day based on their preferences rather than considering what their partner likes. Avoid overlooking your partner's wishes or desires for the day. If your significant other prefers a cozy night at home over a fancy dinner, make sure your plans align with their preferences.

Even if you're not a big fan of Valentine's Day, your partner might be a total romantic, so don't act like it's just any regular day. You don't have to pull off a huge, fancy gesture every time, but completely ignoring it can be hurtful. Making a little effort shows you care. Complaining about the day doesn't help either. Some people see Valentine’s Day as a bit commercial, but pointing that out or making excuses to ignore it might disappoint your partner. Griping about putting effort into the day can quickly spoil anything special you decide to do for them.