FEBRUARY 2022 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 15
COVER FEATURE
HELPS LONG ISLANDERS FIND LOVE
Nelson says that it is normal to not find a
committed relationship, though, immediately
into the new year. It takes people
time to locate the right one. Dating is not
always easy, she says, but there are steps
that singles can take to prevent failed
first dates.
“Everyone’s worst fear in dating is going
out, finding a person who looks great,
sounds great, and seems like a catch.
Then, when you get to the first date, the
person does not look like their dating
profile, or have the qualities you expected
to find — or, quite frankly, the qualities
they said they had on their dating
profiles,” says Nelson.
This, she says, is where she gets much
of her business. People are discouraged
from dating and are suffering from dating
app fatigue, after being catfished
(dating slang for misled), and are in need
of another way to find trustworthy candidates
who are, in fact, who they say
they are.
“What we do at MTN Matchmaking is
research. We speak to people. We find
out their likes and dislikes, their hobbies
and passions. We ask them: ‘What
are you looking for?’ And, since everyone
has passed our screening process
and are all looking for long-term companionship,
we can match them with the
people who are compatible, with similar
interests and the intangibles that are on
a person’s must-have lists,” said Nelson,
adding that this time-tested methodology
is at the heart of her success.
“We also assist our singles on the best
practices of dating and help people be
prepared for the first date. I always advise
people to come equipped with conversation
topics and questions that lead
to stories. The main part of identifying
compatibility with someone is learning
who they are on the inside, if you
have shared experiences, opinions, and
thoughts for the future. There are ways
to get indications of these with early-dating
conversation,” says Nelson.
However, Nelson says, the cardinal rule
to avoid first-date disaster is to leave politics,
religion, sex, and other hot-button
issues off the conversation cue, until you
learn a little more about the could-be
special someone.
“Then you can ask your date about their
pets and their background, and be prepared
to share a little about yours. Ask
your date questions about what makes
them unique, their coolest experiences
in life, or the best day of their life so far.”
The go-to questions, she says, help avoid
the devastating awkward silence that is
the pillar of a bad first date.
Nelson says that honesty, positivity, and
truthfulness are key to ensuring a second,
third, fourth, or fifth successful
date. “Compatibility can not be fooled or
falsified, and if you try too hard to make
yourself what someone else is looking
for, the only person who will be hurt is
you,” she says.
MTN Matchmaking is a family business
that serves communities that Maureen
calls home. Maureen always felt a calling
in this industry and her family has
always been a huge part of her life. Almost
all of her siblings have worked with
Nelson during one time or another.
Matchmaking is more than a full-time
career for Nelson as she lives her life with
the hopes of being great at two things:
Being the best mother to her two children,
children and being the best matchmaker
on Long Island. Nelson hopes that
one day one or both of her children will
carry the MTN Matchmaking business.
“Matchmaking has never been more important
and relevant since Covid. There’s
nothing better in this world than finding,
and inspiring, love in others — which is
why it is my calling and what I am proud
to do each and every day of my life,” Nelson
says.
Dating during the pandemic has proven challenging. (Getty Images)
partner content
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
