14 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • FEBRUARY 2022
COVER FEATURE
MAUREEN TARA NELSON: MATCHMAKER
Maureen Tara Nelson is Long Island’s
Cupid. For over two decades, her relationship
expertise, dating coaching, and
matchmaking services have been lauded
by those who found love — and applauded
by those couples who overcame obstacles
with her guidance. As a trusted
source on the best practices of dating,
her advice has been singles’ North Star
when looking for love on Long Island and
in New York.
Over her 20 years in business, certified
matchmaker Nelson has helped connect
over a thousand couples, building meaningful
bonds and strong connections
that evolve into long-term relationships.
Her approach, unlike today’s trendy dating
apps, helps establish compatibility
with potential companions which then
evolves into chemistry, two of the main
elements of successful relationships.
“The problems with today’s dating culture
is that too much emphasis is placed
on chemistry,” says Nelson. “While
chemistry can be immediate — and oftentimes
is based strictly on looks —
chemistry does not breed compatibility,
which is why oftentimes relationships
fail in the early or secondary stages as
the proverbial shine wears off.” However,
she has been quoted many times as
saying that compatibility often breeds
compatibility, and that is why she recommends
her clients to go on three dates
with each other.
Nelson’s approach has won awards for
her matchmaking service, MTN Matchmaking,
headquartered in Melville. She
has been recognized by Dan’s Papers —
the Press sister publication — Best of the
Best each year as the top matchmaker
on Long Island, after serving the East
End of Long Island. Her methods have
also lent themselves to national media
attention, having her expertise referenced
in publications and mainstream
news articles and broadcasts, including
Good Morning America, TODAY, Good
Day New York, NBC The Match Off, The
Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and
several other top-rated programs across
the country.
In short, Nelson is the dynamo of devotion
— and her job, she says, is heating
up ahead of Valentine’s Day, but not for
the reason one would expect.
While the hallmark holiday of Valentine’s
Day casts love into the air and the storylines,
Nelson says that singles’ searching
for love is a product of relationships
ending ahead of the holiday season in
November and December. Combine that
with a major move towards commitment
that was seen throughout the Covid-19
pandemic, and the proverbial fish in the
sea are biting around this time of the
year.
“What you see is increased stress on relationships
around the holidays, be it financial,
or pressure to take major steps.
Expectations are high around Christmastime,
especially for those who have
been dating for a year or two, and an engagement
is expected,” Nelson says. “Because
of these letdown expectations and
unfortunate split-ups, business booms in
early January, as people get back in the
market and look for love again. January
is a time when people resolve to improve
themselves, their happiness, their
health, and their life: This includes their
love life, too.”
Nelson says that this is the time for singles
to begin dating, but there are important
steps a person must take to make
sure their next relationship is built to
last, and not a “few dates and done.” She
relayed these steps on a recent edition of
her KJOY 98.3 Sunday morning radio
show, Long Island Matchmaker, which
airs weekly at 7 a.m. with varied guests.
“People must learn to love themselves
again before others can fall in love with
them. That is why my first advice to people
is to work to become your best self,
meet your personal goals, and regain the
confidence you need to get your best foot
forward to find love,” Nelson adds.
In her capacity as a relationship coach
and a matchmaker, she advises clients
that once they feel confident and positive
about themselves — physically, emotionally,
and mentally - they need to identify
a realistic description of Mr. or Mrs.
Right, which is what MTN Matchmaking
helps people locate.
She recommends identifying five musthave
qualities for a companion and when
finding one with several or all of those
qualities, a bond can be forged that fosters
a strong and lasting relationship
from which love can emerge. A big mistake
singles make is having more than
five must-haves, which is unrealistic and
almost impossible to find.
“When you find someone with those
qualities — and everyone is different,
(not every pot has the same top) — take
the opportunity at all costs. And, if that
doesn’t work out, try again, and do not
get discouraged,” Nelson says.
But, as we all know, this can present
its challenges - especially in the colder
months, when people are less inclined
to be out and about.
“While the winter is a time when many
of us like to hibernate, we are actually
seeing an uptick in the number of people
who are out and about, looking for someone
and going on dates,” Nelson says, citing
how people feel more inclined to look
for a long-term, committed relationship
in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic brought a mixed bag of
emotions for people. People felt sheltered
and alone for quite some time,
which has changed people’s mindset
and brought about a new desire to ditch
the serial dating lifestyle for good and
find someone to settle down with,” Nelson
says.
“Nobody wants to have to quarantine
alone,” she adds.
LONG ISLAND’S CUPID
“Matchmaking
has never been
more important
and relevant
since Covid,”
says Maureen
Tara Nelson
Maureen Tara Nelson
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