Here are some of the things we have heard and that people have said. They are all true. We have only given one letter to protect identities except where people have agreed to give their real names/pseudonyms. If Romance.ucam.org has had any impact on your life which you'd like to share with others, please let us know.

• 29 September 2005: Congratulations to Stefan and SweetHeart on their engagement! They write: "We met on Romance.org in May 2004 and quickly came inseparable. Since then things have just got better and better and we are now engaged. We just wanted to say thank you, as without you, or the site we would probably never have met!"
  
  

• 30th July 2004: Wonderful news from *Snuggles* & Beatnik Fly:

  Hi
  Just to say a great big thank you to the site for bringing us both together. We met via this site about six months ago and got engaged six weeks ago. :-D
  *Snuggles* & Beatnik Fly

  Congratulations to you both, and good luck!
  
  
• 27th July: UN: "Thanks very much for a great service. I found a lovely girl through here, and we're still together. You can use this as a testimonial (anonymously!)"
  
  
• 5th July: Moonshadows is leaving for pastures new, and says: "How cruel to be kicked off just coz I'm not in cambridge anymore. Long live graduate romance. I think I'd like to make a small donation, seeing as romance has provided me with endless entertainment - on and offline - over the past few years. [details removed]. Best wishes, N aka Moonshadows (the one who 'got laid within 5 hours of signing up. And it's all true!).
  
  
• 25th June R says that she has "met a wonderful friend through this site who has helped me enormously during some particularly low points and I am grateful for having had the oppotunity to meet that person. Thanks"
  
  
• 17th May: C says: "Thanks to your wonderful site, I have got a new boyfriend - T. You are invited to [our party]..."
  
  
• 4th May: B writes "...and I might just have met someone (thanks Cupid, I've met some lovely and interesting men)...we'll just have to wait and see!"
  
  
• 4th February: S says "I have met the nicest man ever on ruo and I love him to bits and made some great friends on here so now I need to quit to do some work!!!! RUO is great, not only have I made some great friends on here but i've also fallen for the most wonderful guy ever who I met on this site :)"
  
  
• 3rd February: Girlie writes: "Hey Cupid! remember me?! Just wanted to keep you updated! My boyfriend & I have been going out for 14 months now...we met on here waaay back last November 2002!! Like I have said loadsa times before, thanks for this website 'cos without it I would never have met him! We are still totally head over heels in love and things couldn't be better! Good luck to everyone else out there..it CAN happen! love, girlie -x-
  ps- thanks again for the puppy Rich, I have called him 'Little Richard' after you!! -x-x-x-
  
  

• 5th October: a postcard from M and A:
  

  Dear Cupid,
  
  Having a great time here in Love. Have been here for just over five months, now waiting for our permanent residency status to be confirmed. It's always warm (if not dry), the views are gorgeous and the night-life is fantastic though a little noisy. Tons of places to go and new things to try. Have enjoyed thoroughly exploring the rolling hills and the dew-laden caverns with imposing stalagmites. You should try spelunking sometime: you'd enjoy it.
  Best time we've ever had, wish you were here, lots of love,
  
  M and A

  
  
• 31st July: Wonderful news from Jayne: "I never thought I'd feel this way about anyone, but on here I've met my boyfriend, best friend and soul mate, all rolled into one. We're celebrating our 10 month anniversary today, and each and every day and night have been the best of my life. I want to thank him for being more than I ever could have dreamed of, and Cupid - our mutual agent :)"
  
  
• 1st July: Girlie tells us "It is my 7 months with my boyfriend today!! (the one I met on here!) hehee!! :)"
  
  
• 25th June: R and B are very close friends: "She is extremely special - a wonderful and dear friend."  *  "He is a truly amazing person... the kind you meet just once in a lifetime."
  
  
• 10th June: We are informed that "Polar Bear and NeedleInAHaystack are very happy together and have been for a while!"
  
  
• 4th July: Fluffy Brandon "met a fabulous man on RUO, and I'm leaving Cambridge, so it's time to delete my account".
  
  
• 30th April: Edward writes: "What can I say?! I think I may be falling wildly in love.....with someone I met on here, no less. So, I guess I should tell you all to keep looking." Wannabe Bond Girl says: "Oops, looks like I'm now attached...how did that happen?! He is indeed lovely and makes me laugh a lot." "I am one very happy bunny."
  
  
• 22nd April: Romance.ucam.org can have unexpected consequences: Lady Penelope has "ended up with a God-son through the site".
  
  
• 2nd April: "We'd like to tell you the happy news...I met a lovely lady through this site in January and since then we have hardly spent a night apart ;-) We're very happy and grateful to you for keeping this entity running :-) Thanks a lot Cupid! - A and B
  
  
• 24th March: Claste has found her "Wilma Flintstone looking for a Betty Rubble to make a Bedrock ;)"
  
  
• 19th March: D doesn't have any 'gossip' but "I have b/f and just come on for intelligent conversation I have found plenty of that. There is much potential. Sigh. It never rains etc."
  
  
• 12th March: "Healer and Meow here. We met only a couple of weeks ago, and have just started going out :-) We're really happy together, and that's about all I can think of to say... and that's all that really matters. Yay! Cupid, thanks very much!
  
  
• 11th March: S writes "...Oh - and thanks for the arrows, they're working well! Hit me spot on a week ago....Found an amazing angel and have given up the art of being single"
  
  
• 10th March: Girlie writes: "Just wanna say....I have been with my boyfriend for almost 4 months now & I met him on here. It is no exaggeration when I say..HE IS MY SOUL-MATE and there is no way I would ever have met him had it not been for this! So thanks babe & I hope you find your lucky lady too!
  one very happy girlie XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
  Thanks cupid!
  & thank your little band of cherubs from me & my perfect sexy boy for this site!
  bye byeee xxxxx"
  
  
• 17th February: i says "I just wanted to tell you how fabulous this site is, because I haven't yet :)"
  
  
• 22nd January: S says that "after being stood up more than once by people on here, I finally met someone really lovely. Fingers crossed I won't be online quite as much over the next few months...." (We wish her luck in her finals).
  
  
• 8th January: B departs saying "I have made one life-changing encounter through this website. Surely it would be tempting fate to ask for more!
  
  
• 5th January: CheekyChick writes: "Yep I've met the love of my life....thanks for everything. Byeee"
  
  

• 13th December: G writes: "This was taking up too much of my time, and I was about to delete it permanently as a way of saving my academic career. But, at the last moment, luckily, I finally met someone great to boot. Thank you!
  
  
• 26th November: C departs, saying: "Think now I'm a sad old grad the time has come to go. Have had some great blind dates from the site though - still emailing one of them from time to time. Keep it up Cupid. - A xxx " (Of course, she's back again soon enough!)
  
  
• November 25th: K writes that she has "met a really nice guy on here, and we've been going out for 2 months now. We met up just before I left Cambridge for a job - I've graduated, and planning to come back after this contract - and are managing to keep it going. Think we both went on the site as a joke originally, but things have worked out rather differently! Many, many thanks.
  Quite aside from meeting my man, I've made two very good friends on the site too....you do a brilliant job, which is sincerely appreciated."
  
  
• 23rd November: "The shady gentleman formerly known as Darren Rangement is now to be seen cheerily wandering about the college with CheekyChick, who is a lovely lady indeed. Excellence!" [Updated: 26th February 2002: "I am really leaving for good now - I'll be back if I'm single again. Not that that's likely to happen :)"]
  
  
• November 22nd: Remember the little birdie? Well, "Kitten and Llamaman have now been together for nearly 2 years...just as the little bird told you!"
  
  
• 12th November: L says that she "would definitely buy you a drink to say thanks if I ever come across you..."
  
  
• 22nd October: Foxy Minx "met an lovely guy...Very romantic..."
  
  
• October 21st: This one from The Other Place deserves reprinting here! Greebo Features deleted her account "BECAUSE IM ADDICTED AND IM SPENDING EVERY SPARE MOMENT AND SOMETIMES EVEN NOT SPARE ONES ON OXFORD BLOODY ROMANCE!!! im going to fail my finals if i dont do this. i reckon you Cambridge scum made this thing to keep oxford down in the league tables. i may even need therapy. Look, its 2.01 am and i have a nine o clock lecture tomorrow morning. WHAT IS GOING On???? oxford bloody romance. its killing me. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh. PS you are all cool and this site is clearly successful and highly dangerous for addictive personalities. i strongly suggest you USE the extreme addictive nature of the site to market it. "Warning: Highly addictive" but that would be to the detriment of my fellow students." High praise indeed :-)
  
  
• October 10th: C: "I found this site on the recommendation of a good friend sometime last year, and it's been great. Being a gay man who's not too fond of the "scene", it's not only allowed me to make some great friends, but it's given me the feeling that I'm not the only one! Thanks a lot, it's been great. And will continue to be so."
  
  
• September 27th: Someone (who shall remain nameless!) "got a shag out of this site...cheers..."
  
  
• September 25th: Dylan "met someone very lovely."
  
  
• September 11th: N: "Hiya, found a bloke thanks!"
  
  
• September 2nd: Jayne: "Yes, it's because I've found the love of my life and no longer need you! More thanks than words can express... xxx"
  
  
• August 18th: S.M.: "I've met a fantastic girl on here....But I still want to mess around on here, its such fun!!! The people are so funny!"
  
  
• July 30th: "Lourdes has found her Guy Ritchie and LonelyGuy26 is lonely no more! Dating since early June, both very happy and hope everyone else on this site is as lucky."
  
  
• June 23rd: Friendly Girl and Callipygian have now been going out for a year and 4 months. (See May 24th 2001).
  
  
• June 21st: Top Cat and Venus: Still going strong...romantic trip to Brussels...
  
  
• June 20th: AJ: "I've been a long time user of this great site, and owing to general apathy and long periods of not using it, have only met two women this way. Although the second of these could be described as 'unpleasant', the first was extraordinary. No, there was no romance, but she has turned out to be a wonderful and much loved friend who has enriched my life in indescribable ways; and to be honest I think I prefer it this way. Thanks RUO!"
  
  
• June 19th: FunkyMunky: "[I] have found romance and have no need for this service, however my time here was wonderful - it has brought me happiness and I am greatful."
  
  
• June 14th: Juliet: "found a partner through the site."
  
  
• May: Mary Poppins: "Just writing to let you know that I am sitting with my lovely boyfriend whom I met on your site and wanted to say a big thank you! We messaged on the Thursday, met on the Monday and had fallen head over heels for each other by the end of the week. I never thought I'd find someone so gorgeous and lovely and amazing on the internet....! Thank you so much! We'll send you an invite to the wedding :-)"
  Cupid had the pleasure to meet her while giving away RUO Helium Balloons at the Sidgwick Site on May 1st. This success story has actually been going on "about half a year now" - they "are very much in lurve....". The amusing part is that, apparently, her boyfriend has been too embarrassed to admit to meeting on RUO, and has been claiming it was Cindy's. Well, we can't let that pass - so now you all know the truth!
  May 12th: Mary says: "I am indeed leaving because I met the love of my life. So long, Cupid....(galloping off into sunset...)"
  May 14th: Irish says "I'm leaving because I've met someone, from this site! Thanks so much for a fantastic setup, and the last few months :)"
  
  
• May 9th: Z left, saying "Hey dudes, it was a success - don't need to be here anymore! Four days, not bad. Cheers!"
  
  
• May 8th: S.L. writes: "Believe it or not, I have met a luscious man...don't know what's gonna happen, but don't have enough energy to keep up with this thing. Will prob use again, it's been really fun!! just not before exams, bit of a dodgy time to start getting 'sociable'...."
  
  
• May 22nd: AL writes: "I've started seeing someone who I met on the site, and although obviously as yet I don't know how well it'll work, I'd prefer not to remain on RUO". Goodbye, and good luck...
  
  
• March 20th: P says: "You know what you are doing is much appreciated..I had the most fantastic time in Cambridge with a man I met on this site and who happened to be at my college too...It did not last unfortunately but that is only fair. Many thanks again..I will remember the night I actually cried here with so much joy.. and I thought about this web site..."
  
  
• Valentine's Day 14th February: Wonderful news from Top Cat who writes:
  "Hi Cupid, Thought I'd send you a message to let you know that we (Top Cat and Venus) who found love last term through your website are still together, more in love with every day that passes, and enjoying very much our first meaningful Valentine's Day together. We still can't thank you enough for what you have done, and we hope more lonesome couples in Cambridge find the same happiness through your work. Hope the website problems are solved soon...Cambridge students just can't manage without you!
  Keep up your good work, Top Cat & Venus"
  
  
• February: A again: " I started using this site completely by accident - I dropped down the the URL address banner (to use email) on one of the computers in the UL(!) - and I have had a great time since : ))
  I met four guys: two that I really liked but didn't want to get horizontal with.... and the others were really hot : ) I had two of the best experinces of my life, sexual and non-sexual. This site is exxxcelllent! Far better than any chat room because their is no rush. Use it!"
  
  
• February 1st: A says "Used sensibly, this site is wonderful! :-) I've had two of my best experiences of **my life** - in one week. I was so happy, left reeling from the heat :-)"
  

• 17th October: Venus left, saying: "You have probably heard of our success story (Top Cat and Venus) so you've done your job! Thank you so much!"
  
  
• October 16th: JFF "met her last boyfriend here and went out with him for 7 months..."
  
  
• June 26th: 'Mr Indie' "joined RUO for a laugh, and very quickly found an advert by a charming girl whose requirements I seemed to meet exactly. I couldn't pass this one up, and before I knew what was happenning, RUO became the vehicle for online conversations that lasted for hours. It was not long before our first 'date' and, since then, she has proved to be everything that I was looking for too..."
  They have been together for over a month already.
  
  
• May 26th: Me :) is now exceedingly happy! "I didn't have time for a long-term relationship because I've got work to do, and so I wasn't looking for romance, but lots of really interesting guys contacted me....one of them worked out, and thus 'mission accomplished' ".
  
  
• May 24th: Friendly Girl says: "I met my boyfriend three months ago on RUO and it still seems to be going brilliantly! I would never have met him without RUO as I'm an Undergrad and he's a Grad and we both do different subjects and are at different colleges. I just like to say thanks for setting up the service and wish everyone else good luck in the future!"
  
  
• May: A little birdie tells us "Yeah have heard loads of gossip! L-A is going out with Ford prefect!".
  
  
• May: "I'm deleting [my account] because I really need to get on with work for the finals and this thing is way too addictive. I've had some great dates from the site all of whom ranged from pretty good to absolutely stunning and I think the site is a great idea - much needed in this God-forsaken place."
  
  
• 20th April: S says: "I have found happiness and love. Thank you RUO." We wish her good luck!
  
  
• 1st May: "I just thought you should know that life is wonderful. Started chatting a couple of weeks ago with someone who will be known as P...got on really well so met up for a drink, had a fabulous evening and have seen each other most days since. Never thought this would actually work; but it's delivered someone who is perfect for me. We do different subjects in different colleges with different hobbies, so would never have met if it wasn't for your website.
  So, thanks - 'C'
  
  
• 30th March: Another wonderful piece of news from a little birdie:
  "I live in a house with 2 mates. One of them is currently on his second girl from Romance.ucam.org. The first was just a quick fling, but his latest catch has lasted somewhat longer. They've basically been living together for the past 3 months - I think they've hardly spent a night apart. She has become a part of our house, and when my friend went away for a week, she stayed here more than she stayed in her own room! They're a wonderful couple and a testament to the success of your website, so keep it up...."
  
  
• 14th March: T and S are now a happy pair! T writes: I thought I ought to write to you as the creator of this heaven-sent dating site...... I have now acquired a girl-friend who is the most special person I have ever known, thanks to "meeting" her on your site!! Great invention!
  We asked him to tell the story:
  "I saw a poster for RUO in my college JCR and just thought I'd join up for the sake of it really, I never thought anything would come of it. But I was casually looking through the "females seeking males" adverts and I found one that sounded suitable, so I started corresponding with this girl - certainly I was quite happy to just acquire a new friend if nothing else. Within a week, we had exchanged real names and e-mail addresses and then soon after, we met up. By the end of the second date we had well and truly 'clicked' and, despite a month apart in the holidays, don't intend to look back! So we both feel unbelievably lucky and I guess that our luck is partly due to RUO."
  
  
• February: An informant, LM tells us that "Did you hear that one of my friends Mrs X has got together with a character called C on the site? They seem really happy at the moment :)"
  Mrs X has now left RUO, saying "I found a lovely man on the site so I think that staying on-line to find another one would just be greedy! Thanks, this is a really good idea!   - X"
  C tells us "Just thought I'd let you know that I think the site is excellent. I met up with a great girl through the RUO over 4 weeks ago now and we are still together so that just goes to prove that it all works, despite what people may say. Valentines day was fun this year thanks to RUO!    - C"
  
  
• "I've met 3 ladies so far this term. All charming" We've had a great deal of fun!   - D
  
  
• November 20th: X and Y met up for coffee and later went to a nightclub. They are seeing one-another again... X comments on Romance.ucam.org "this really was a clever idea by you guys - much needed as well!"
  
  
• "A great idea, well implemented, good way to meet new people, and lots of fun. Every town should have a website like this!"
  
  
• January: We are informed that "S and B have hit it off and are apparently quite smitten with each other - ahh bless :)"
  
  
• "Most of the users are students here, so I feel safer meeting people from the site than if I were to meet someone from, say, a newspaper equivalent (which I don't think I'd do for safety reasons)."
  
  
• "I have got someone in mind...early days though"
  

• "I have just had the best and most adventurous weekend of my life - Thanks!"
  
  
• "F has a secret (from us, anyway) admirer....."
  
  
• "It's what Cambridge has been crying out for, and has been of seriously major benefit to many single students round town. And it's free (unlike other meeting facilities)."
  
  
• "Ruo is friendly and approachable"
  
  
• "The site is brilliant"
  
  
• "I got laid within 5 hours of joining - hurrah!"

If Romance.ucam.org has helped any aspect of your life, please let us know - in complete confidence of course.

The following statistics are ancient! They need re-analysing... In the meantime, for interest, in Lent 2001, Romance.ucam.org was getting 400 logins, 600 messages and over 15,000 page views per day. This makes it is now the most popular student-run website in Cambridge by some margin.
[The updated figures are here.]

Here are our web-traffic statistics for the lent term 2001: