Colby and me (photo by Jonathan Baskin for the New York Post)
This has been the craziest day of my FOF life. Starting at 6:30 a.m., producers from Today, Good Morning America, The Early Show, Fox & Friends, and numerous other shows, invited me and my son, Colby, to come on air to talk about Date My Single Kid, a new feature we launched today on FabOverFifty.com. They found out about the idea from an article that ran today in The New York Post.
The premise of DMSK is simple. Many FOF women aren’t embarrassed, afraid or shy about fixing up our single “kids” (Our “kids,” in most cases, are twenty, thirty, even forty something.) Why not act as “agents” for them, I thought. After all, isn’t that what all the dating sites do anyway?
FOF members can post photos of their single kids on DMSK and tell everyone why they’re so fab. FOF moms (or friends, aunts, grand mothers, etc.) do the prep work, connect with each other, and then decide if their “kids” might be compatible. Of course, the kids need to go along with our idea for this to work. By the way, my 31-year-old single son is running DMSK.
Apparently, the idea resonated around the globe. The New York Post story has been picked up by the French newspaper Le Figaro, a morning talk show in the UK wants to do a segment on DMSK, and on and on.
Young women and FOFs have been writing to me and to Colby, all day. We’re thrilled everyone loves the idea. Tomorrow at 8:19 a.m., we’ll be on Today. Meredith Vieira is interviewing us. I wonder if she has a single daughter.
For the person with the ‘smother’ comment: Read the ‘marriages’ stories in the New York Times on their site. I’m estimating that at least 60% of the time (now I realize this is sort of a ‘self-selected group because their stories are being printed in the Times…), the couple has gotten together because (drum roll, please), they’ve been fixed up by friends or relatives. In a recent story, the couple had been set up by their fathers! And even through they fought it and grimaced their way through it – hello! The ‘rents knew them better than they thought they knew themselves. They fell in love and got married.
Mom’s have only one goal in mind: grandchildren. And in order to have grandkids, you have to get the kids married off, hopefully in a settled and happy way. Otherwise, no grandchildren. Mom’s are pretty honest – yes, to every mom, their kid IS the prettiest/handsomest/smartest/hardest working/most talented/most funny/ best xyz. But at least it isn’t hiring someone to write your entry for JDate or something like that. No Mom is going to put their kid on DMSK if they’re a serial killer: “Has had bad luck with all the other first dates”. Seriously – any kid who’s gotten past the “8×10” glossy stage has faced him/herself in the bathroom mirror and said, “I’d really like to be in a nice, committed, comfy relationship – even if the person does NOT look like Justin Timberlake/Cameron Diaz/Penelope Cruz, works as an accountant/school teacher, and has dental issues.” Sometimes, people need a helping hand.
I would be afraid to get involved with your son if you are part of the package..you are a smother, not a mother..give this guy some freedom to find his own gal and butt out…..you are too much..
Madelyn – One of the most important things that I will be hoping for in a future son-in-law, is his love for his own mother and all women in general! Obviously, Geri and Colby have a healthy mother-son relationship are great friends AND he has even chosen to work with her! How much more of a testament to a healthy, happy parent relationship can there be? Young women should run as fast as they can from a man that either has no relationship with his mother, disrespects her in anyway or even worse- can’t stand to be around her. I can only speak from experience, but coming from a family where my father adored his mother, sisters, my mother, her mother, my sisters and I – and eventually his three granddaughters, and let us know that everyday – it has meant the world to me and my own self respect and the men I have chosen to spend my life around. A real loving woman welcomes into her heart and home a mother-in-law that has the love and respect from her son.
And it works! I don’t know when you officially put this up, but both my son and daughter have had multiple contacts through me, already! Neither one of them knew I put them on there, but when I showed my daughter last night she was impressed! My son will be delighted to know he has had more hits than his sister;-))
Dearest Geri, Here in the South, mothers (both Jewish and Gentile) have crafted this skill of matchmaking to a fine art. You, my dear have taken it to a new level of expertise. Proud to award you an honorary “Southern Mother’s ” award for going above and beyond your duty for the love of your son. Ya’ll take care, come see us sometimes and bless your heart!!!!!Karen Bell
Geri–
Just saw your interview and I agree with you completely! Ihave a lovely 25 and a half year old daughter that works in sales, in an industry where it will be very difficult for her to find a nice man. She is lovely and fun, and LOVES NYC! She travels when she can, but NY is her favorite city. She is quite the talented singer and sings in weddings when asked, loves Broadway shows, is not a barfly or into sleezy behavior. Her dad and I are quite happy with her lifestyle choices. She graduated from Indiana University but her heart is at Purdue (where she first went). If your son is game–and I trust him since he’s your son–contact me and I’ll follow thru for him. She’s on my facebook site….so just look up Rhonda Davis Earley!
Amazing both of you. Kudos to you mom for helping your son get out there, we are all very busy these days. Colby: You are strikingly handsome. Give your mom a big hug as I know this exposure will get you the woman of your dreams. Hmmm, maybe I can talk my mother into doing this for me as well.
Congrats…simply brilliant…dare I say what must no longer really PC but you may have out done all the other ‘Jewish mother’s! ( not sure how they knocked the Catholics and Wasps down the ladder ) guess it’s cause they are simply number 1!
0 Responses to “What happened today”
Linda McCoy says:
Bravo to you for another great idea!
Toby Wollin says:
For the person with the ‘smother’ comment: Read the ‘marriages’ stories in the New York Times on their site. I’m estimating that at least 60% of the time (now I realize this is sort of a ‘self-selected group because their stories are being printed in the Times…), the couple has gotten together because (drum roll, please), they’ve been fixed up by friends or relatives. In a recent story, the couple had been set up by their fathers! And even through they fought it and grimaced their way through it – hello! The ‘rents knew them better than they thought they knew themselves. They fell in love and got married.
Mom’s have only one goal in mind: grandchildren. And in order to have grandkids, you have to get the kids married off, hopefully in a settled and happy way. Otherwise, no grandchildren. Mom’s are pretty honest – yes, to every mom, their kid IS the prettiest/handsomest/smartest/hardest working/most talented/most funny/ best xyz. But at least it isn’t hiring someone to write your entry for JDate or something like that. No Mom is going to put their kid on DMSK if they’re a serial killer: “Has had bad luck with all the other first dates”. Seriously – any kid who’s gotten past the “8×10” glossy stage has faced him/herself in the bathroom mirror and said, “I’d really like to be in a nice, committed, comfy relationship – even if the person does NOT look like Justin Timberlake/Cameron Diaz/Penelope Cruz, works as an accountant/school teacher, and has dental issues.” Sometimes, people need a helping hand.
madelyn says:
I would be afraid to get involved with your son if you are part of the package..you are a smother, not a mother..give this guy some freedom to find his own gal and butt out…..you are too much..
Leigh Chandler says:
Madelyn – One of the most important things that I will be hoping for in a future son-in-law, is his love for his own mother and all women in general! Obviously, Geri and Colby have a healthy mother-son relationship are great friends AND he has even chosen to work with her! How much more of a testament to a healthy, happy parent relationship can there be? Young women should run as fast as they can from a man that either has no relationship with his mother, disrespects her in anyway or even worse- can’t stand to be around her. I can only speak from experience, but coming from a family where my father adored his mother, sisters, my mother, her mother, my sisters and I – and eventually his three granddaughters, and let us know that everyday – it has meant the world to me and my own self respect and the men I have chosen to spend my life around. A real loving woman welcomes into her heart and home a mother-in-law that has the love and respect from her son.
Hedy says:
Saw you guys on Fox and you were great. I have a 25 year old grandson who I wish could find someone. Good luck with your search……….Keep us posted………
Leigh Chandler says:
And it works! I don’t know when you officially put this up, but both my son and daughter have had multiple contacts through me, already! Neither one of them knew I put them on there, but when I showed my daughter last night she was impressed! My son will be delighted to know he has had more hits than his sister;-))
Karen says:
Dearest Geri, Here in the South, mothers (both Jewish and Gentile) have crafted this skill of matchmaking to a fine art. You, my dear have taken it to a new level of expertise. Proud to award you an honorary “Southern Mother’s ” award for going above and beyond your duty for the love of your son. Ya’ll take care, come see us sometimes and bless your heart!!!!!Karen Bell
Rhonda says:
Geri–
Just saw your interview and I agree with you completely! Ihave a lovely 25 and a half year old daughter that works in sales, in an industry where it will be very difficult for her to find a nice man. She is lovely and fun, and LOVES NYC! She travels when she can, but NY is her favorite city. She is quite the talented singer and sings in weddings when asked, loves Broadway shows, is not a barfly or into sleezy behavior. Her dad and I are quite happy with her lifestyle choices. She graduated from Indiana University but her heart is at Purdue (where she first went). If your son is game–and I trust him since he’s your son–contact me and I’ll follow thru for him. She’s on my facebook site….so just look up Rhonda Davis Earley!
Jennifer says:
Amazing both of you. Kudos to you mom for helping your son get out there, we are all very busy these days. Colby: You are strikingly handsome. Give your mom a big hug as I know this exposure will get you the woman of your dreams. Hmmm, maybe I can talk my mother into doing this for me as well.
sheri says:
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!! Mazel tov to you!!!
Liz says:
Congrats Geri! I think it’s terrific. I’ll be watching.
Heather Chapple says:
PS Geri you are looking great with that tall handsome kid of yours!
Geri says:
Hi Heather,
Thanks Heather. we’re going to be Today Show at 8:19. Interview with Meredith Vieira. Would love to meet you.
Geri
Heather Chapple says:
Congrats…simply brilliant…dare I say what must no longer really PC but you may have out done all the other ‘Jewish mother’s! ( not sure how they knocked the Catholics and Wasps down the ladder ) guess it’s cause they are simply number 1!
Preppy 101 says:
How exciting! You are such a rock star!! 🙂 xoxo
Geri says:
Oh Preppy
you are wonderful.
G