Testimonials

CHRISTA FOURIE AND JACO BADENHORST, PSYCHOMETRIST AND IT CONSULTANT, PRETORIA

Christa: The benefits of joining Perfect Strangers were that we could meet new, like-minded people. What makes it even more exciting and special is that, because Marilyn personally screens everyone, you can be sure of meeting someone of substance. Furthermore, because of feedback that you provide to Marilyn after each date, you can be sure that your next match will be even better. Marilyn has a niche for matching people.

Working with Marilyn resulted in both of us finding our perfect partner in each other. Marilyn conducts a very professional service where we could meet people in a comfortable and safe way. It also meant we could meet people who had the same interests, views, religions and who wanted the same things out of life. Working with Marilyn resulted in both of us meeting the person we want to spend the rest of our lives with.

After being single for a while and a few mismatched blind date attempts by friends, I decided to join Perfect Strangers after reading about it in a magazine. It sounded like just what I needed. I felt completely at ease and had fun going on the dates. Jaco and I met, which was incidentally both our fourth dates. We have been inseparable since that evening. The values of joining Perfect Strangers include many but mostly meeting my soul mate and doing so in a fun, safe way.

Jaco: I always hoped for that special one, but never knew where and how I would meet her. After most of my friends got married, I found myself all alone and rather unhappy. I tried out most forms of internet dating, but didn’t find what I was looking for. I found myself nearing my mid 30’s and still single. A friend of mine introduced me to Perfect Strangers, and I thought I would give it a shot. I was surprised by the professional way that Marilyn went about business. She conducted a very thorough personal interview. She put me in a position where I was able to meet like-minded people. She introduced me to Christa and I knew just there and then that I had found my soul mate…

Joining Perfect strangers resulted in reminding us that there are still quality people out there. You just have to find them in the right place, Perfect Strangers being such a place. Furthermore, going on dates with people whom you were matched with takes the trouble out of wondering if you will have anything in common. It makes blind dating seem less daunting. Finally, joining Perfect Strangers and working with Marilyn, meant that we found each other and we have quite a story for the grandchildren one day…

CELESTE AND ANTON SMITH, SOFTWARE TRAINER AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER, PRETORIA

The benefits of working with Marilyn were countless and that really made us appreciate Perfect Strangers. In a safe and regulated environment we had a chance of meeting other people. That wouldn't have happened if we had tried to meet people on our own.
We also realized that one cannot go out and try to meet people in an environment which is not part of one's lifestyle.

We didn't want to wait until friends introduced us to new people, because through past experience we knew that it only ended in disaster. And the most important part of working with Marilyn was that we had control over the choices to be made.

It also was very exciting to have a coffee-date each week to check out the "goods"!

I met Anton after 3 coffee-dates and he met me after only 1! Excellent results!!!! I found Marilyn to be an extremely good listener, and each time I reported back after I had met a new person she really went out of her way to match me with the perfect partner.

Before we joined Perfect Strangers we were just sitting between four walls staring at the TV without any excitement on our lives! We never met potential partners and were feeling very sorry for ourselves. Without Marilyn we would never have met each other!
When I joined Perfect Strangers It gave me hope.

Life wasn't an endless lonely struggle anymore. It gave me something to look forward to again. And when I met Anton it made my life worthwhile again! I was no longer alone anymore!! I found my soul mate and for that I will be forever grateful!!!! Thank you, Marilyn, for Perfect Strangers.

RENE HORNBY AND ANDRIES SCHOLTZ, AUDIOLOGIST AND BUSINESS CONSULTANT, PRETORIA

We both joined Perfect Strangers two years ago. Marilyn promptly arranged meetings with both of us after our initial contact. In this meeting one discusses your own background as well as your preferences for the person you would like to meet.

Shortly after the meeting, Marilyn contacted both of us with candidate's details and soon dates and meetings were arranged. For us, the benefits of using Perfect Strangers would be that people join Perfect Strangers to meet other people, and not to play hard-to-get on the internet via chat lines or similar non-formal communication methods.

Initially I (Rene) was quite nervous to join a dating service, but being with Perfect Strangers is not at all like internet matching/dating services. Marilyn meets everyone in person and also receives constant feedback from people you have met, which guides her in the process of selection. She can also advise you on your presentation or matches.

Being a single female in my mid thirties, dating options became fewer and fewer. My friends had introduced some single men to me, but after a while one becomes cautious to ask them to introduce you to someone else. Andries, after a recent break up from a long term relationship, wanted to meet new people staying in his area.

After our introduction to each other, we decided to get to know each other better, and accordingly informed Marilyn of our intentions. After falling in love we both decided to tell Marilyn and decided not to meet other people. After two years we got engaged, and every day we thank Marilyn for her services and for an opportunity not only to meet other people BUT also in our case to meet our soul mates.

It might be daunting to meet new people and expose your beliefs, values and thoughts, but by using Perfect Strangers you have the peace of mind that Marilyn has met all her clients, and will help you should you require any assistance. It was a fun and exciting journey!

DUNCAN, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, PRETORIA

Most men and women need a close companion with whom they can share their lives. When one moves out of the twenties, finding such a companion is often challenging in a society where there is either a reluctance to take emotional risk, or, for a variety of reasons, opportunities to meet suitable individuals are limited.

Perfect Strangers offers a safer environment, as the people you meet are on the same page as you. As Marilyn screens very strictly, I personally found that the ladies I met were pleasant, well educated, and socially acceptable. To be frank, I had lots of fun meeting new people, learning about the life experiences of others, and, perhaps most importantly, about myself.

I must admit that I was hesitant to phone Perfect Strangers. I firstly had never done something like this before, and was also uncertain whether the people I would meet would fit into my social circles. I do, however, believe that reward does not come without risk. Having considered it carefully, I arrived at the conclusion that in reality what did I really have to lose by taking such a positive step? I was actually quite proud of myself after having made the phone call. Life is like a checkerboard: it has 64 blocks that you need to complete.

The nice thing is that no one forces you to complete it in a specific sequence but you need to complete all the blocks. Perfect Strangers allowed me the opportunity to explore what attributes I want from a partner, and perhaps to reaffirm many of those I knew to be important to me. I find that having gone through the experience, I arrived at the other end having completed a few more of the blocks. I feel an amazing peace of mind and am much more certain of what I want from a companion.

Yes, I have arrived at the other end with a relationship with a really nice lady.

I have had the opportunity to meet a variety of people, which has allowed me the opportunity to explore what attributes I want from a partner, and perhaps to reaffirm many of those I knew to be important to me.

I find that I have an amazing peace of mind and am much more certain of what I want from a companion. This can only lead to a strong and lasting relationship.

YOLANDA AND CHRIS VENTER, DIETICIAN AND CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, CHANNEL ISLANDS

The benefits of working with Marilyn have been the following:

Meeting new people that have been screened, thus meaning Marilyn did all the homework, so to speak, and could give me (us) some useful information with regards to clients/new prospective friends and thereby took all the "schlep" out of it.
Marilyn demonstrates a high degree of professionalism and an intuitive understanding of people and what works for them.
I never felt uneasy or in danger and I think as a woman this is obviously important.
It's an easy way to make friends - I always had this issue as to where to meet men, being out of school and university.
It really boosts your confidence, meeting all these new people/friends and you can have a wider range to choose a soul mate from.
Marilyn, you lived up to the expectations that were agreed on.

The results I've had with working with you, well that speaks for itself - I've met my husband and we are happily married (for 8 years now) with a lovely daughter and one on the way. I think what made this easier for us was the fact that we were perhaps older and hopefully wiser when it came to relationships, and we were very open to our expectations of others.

Before I joined Perfect Strangers, I had just come out of a relationship, and found it quite difficult to meet people, especially men. The places I went to weren't really the sort of places I wanted to meet men (except for church-but everyone knew me there and they were all happily married), for instance the workplace, gym and daily activities like shopping etc. I was also 28 years old and became a bit anxious as to where I would meet a decent man.

Chris was recently divorced when he joined Perfect Strangers. He also wanted to meet friends and didn't know where to start. He saw the advertisement of Perfect Strangers in the newspaper and prayed about it and decided to join. He phoned and said that he only wanted to meet a Christian girl.

Those were the same words I told Marilyn when I first joined, and her advice to me was to meet as many men as I could with common interests, as not many people state that they are Christians, but they might well be. She of course remembered my initial request when Chris phoned her that day. By then I was already a member for approximately 4 months. Chris (sad to say-ha-ha-ha) didn't get the chance to meet many girls, as Marilyn introduced him to me first, and voila! The rest is a fairytale.

The value of joining Perfect Strangers, as stated before, was that I met a wonderful, Christian man with many interests. We have a lot in common but we also complement each other. I obviously thank God for giving us such a wonderful relationship, and I thank Marilyn for being the instrument by introducing us.

The most significant results I have gained from joining Perfect Strangers were:

A total boost of self confidence
Knowing that I could pick and choose, so to speak, made it easier
It was good to get to know many people and go through a learning curve.
Ultimately I met my husband and Chris met his wife.

I surely wish that your business will grow from strength to strength.

MARIA PETRAKIS, FINANCIAL PLANNER, PRETORIA

A significant result I had from joining Perfect Strangers and working with Marilyn was that I was able to find a suitable partner after my second introduction. I was not meeting suitable partners before joining.

I wanted to meet someone who was committed to being in a serious relationship and someone that I could love and spend the rest of my life with. Through Perfect Strangers, I have now found love, am in a serious relationship and am happy.

MIKE HATTINGH, IT MANAGER, PRETORIA

By joining Perfect Strangers and working with Marilyn, I came to realize that my situation was not unique. Meeting others in a similar position also helped my self confidence to grow.

Prior to joining Perfect Strangers, my social life was very unstable, spur of the moment and I often was the "third wheel". The people I met were seldom at the same place in their life as I was. After joining Perfect Strangers I suddenly was meeting people on a regular basis.

At first I did not meet my soul mate, but the introductions still served a purpose, helping me realize what I was looking for.

My life has now moved forward.

My confidence levels in a social situation are improved.

Most importantly, because of Perfect Strangers, I am now happily involved in a serious relationship abounding with mutual love and respect.