“Remington Rand’s Univac No. 21 turned Cupid, brought together a flesh-and-blood couple as scientifically selected “ideal marriage mates.”"

The computer, which was worth a cool Million at the time, was fed with questionnaires completed by 4000 singles looking to find love. The questionnaire was made up of 32 relationship-relevant questions on topics like sex, race, religion, politics, lifestyle and, hilariously, “preferences for double or twin beds”. The computer found a perfect couple among the entries and the two later got engaged!

Read the original TIME magazine article about this first computer matchmaking experiment here.

>>>To see if you can find love through a computer, do the free personality test at be2 now.

“Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.”

- Lindsay Lohan, Mean Girls

As a blog on love, relationships and matchmaking, we would like to look at the effects of people living as singles vs. living in a relationship on climate change. Living “twogether” in a relationship is far more eco-friendly than living alone, so any couple living together – even without much of a green attitude – is doing more to fight climate change than a single person with the greenest intentions.

Here’s how couples contribute to the fight against climate change:

• A shared home is more environmentally friendly than individual households. A couple requires less space than two singles, which means less building, less land claimed for residential development, less CO2 emissions from construction work.
• Couples can save on heating, as they share a living space that only needs to be heated once. Also, don’t overrate the effect of body heat when you cuddle up in bed Who needs an electric blanket, when they have the one they love to keep them warm at night?
• The amount of electricity used by a couple isn’t quite half of that used by two singles, but they do reduce the amount used for cooking, washing, and other devices like TV and radio, simply by sharing their use.
• Couples tend to travel together, so even if they do use a car, it’s likely to be used more efficiently, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 50%.
• Combined finances don’t just mean that couples tend to be better off than singles, they can also pool their savings for climate-friendly household appliances and other investments that reduce the amount of energy used in their household.
• …and don’t forget that old classic “save water – shower with a friend”!

It may seem far-fetched, but in a way be2, as a matchmaking agency, is not only helping people find a relationship, but also helping fight climate change, one happy couple at a time

Chinese Valentine’s Day is on day 7 of the 7th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The number 7 is considered lucky in love and it’s one of the few numbers that are considered lucky in both Chinese and Western numerology.

Hence, the number 7 features prominently in the popular mythology surrounding Chinese Valentine’s Day:

The 7th daughter of the Emperor of Heaven fell in love with a cowherd. They got married and had children without the father’s permission, so the Emperor sent them to live on two different stars, which only meet once a year – on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. The two lovers are allowed to meet on this Chinese Valentine’s day every year. Chinese lovers celebrate the day, as Western couples celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 14th of February.

But what’s the point of all these free hugs? For once, this is a crazy movement that didn’t originate in the USA, but in Canada. There are several stories about how the Free Hugs Campaign started, but the gist is always the same: the guy who invented free hugs was sad and lonely and far from the people who could have given him a simple hug to make him feel betterh. He would have loved nothing more than a friendly hug at that moment, so he founded the Free Hugs Campaign, which has been spreading free hugs worldwide ever since:

Some people think the idea is a little silly, some start discussions about the legal implications of giving away free hugs in public (!) and others are overwhelmed and enthusiastic. Free Hugs fans tell of the warm, fuzzy feeling a free hug gives them, that it cures sadness and loneliness, that it puts smiles on the faces of huggers and huggees, and that they want to make the world a friendlier place.

Many recipients of free hugs become huggers themselves. After all, anyone who gives a free hug, automatically gets a free hug back

“All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!”

- Charles M. Schulz (said by Lucy in Peanuts)

• Wedding customs in central Europe

The traditional bridal bouquet was originally made with herbs to keep away bad spirits. The veil used to be a symbol of the brides virginity and also a protection from evil spirits. The bridesmaids were another way of fooling the spirits as they would be distracted from the bride herself. Traditional lucky charms are
… something old to symbolize her time as a single woman
… something new to take her into her life as a married woman
… something borrowed to show friendship
… something blue, the colour of faithfulness

• Wedding customs in Italy

The bride shouldn’t wear any jewellry, particularly gold, before the end of the ceremony.

• Wedding customs in France

There’s a big song and dance about the bridal garter. Men offer the bride money for each inch her skirt goes up. The women bid against them. When the garter becomes visible, the dance is over and the man who made the highest bid, gets it as a souvenir.

• Wedding customs in Mexico

The bride often carries a fan instead of flowers. Men often wear a mexican “wedding shirt“, ideal for the climate and beach weddings.

• Wedding customs in Sweden

By the end of the wedding, the bride wears three rings: the engagement ring, the weiing ring and a maternity ring. For financial luck, the bride places a coiun from her father and one from her mother in each shoe.

• Wedding customs in Finnland

The bride wears a gold crown. The unmarried female guests dance around her. With eyes closed, she puts the crown on one of the single women – she will be the next to marry

• Wedding customs in India

The bride’s hand and feet are decorated with henna. During the ceremony, she wears a coloured sari.

• Wedding customs in Norway

The groom wears a bunda, a hand made, wool suit. The bride wears a silver or gold crown which jingles when she moves her head – to keep evil spirits away.

• Wedding customs in Belgium

Prime accessory are embroidered handkerchiefs. The name of the bride is stitched on and when the next single woman from the family is preparing to get married, her name is added and the handkerchief is passed on from generation to generation.

• Wedding customs in Croatia

The groom wears a small bouquet of rosemary tied with coloured ribbons. After the ceremony the bridal veil is exchanged for an apron to symbolize her new status as a married woman.

• Wedding customs in China

The traditional wedding colour is red, the colour of joy and luck. Many couples choose to marry western-style, but red is still a strong theme in decorations and gifts.

>>>See all be2 countries at a glance here!

Why is the wedding date so important? And which dates are particularly popular?
Generally, Valentine’s Day is a big one every year. Many couples choose the exact date they first met or went on the first date. Last year. the popularity of the 08.08.08 wedding date was explained by the fact that 8 is considered a lucky number in many cultures and that it’s a symbol for infinity.

dream wedding. dream beach. dream date?

May is the most popular month for weddings and the most popular day is Friday or Saturday. Some couples are so superstitious about numerology that they time the beginning of the ceremony to reflect their lucky number.

Whatever date you choose, it’s the special memories of your wedding that will make it memorable.

If you know your dream wedding date, but haven’t found that special someone yet, find them at be2.

Not only are the cards beautifully designed, each sentimental statement of love comes with a funny bit of fine print. For example, “I love you*”….”*Statement only valid if you say you love me back.”

There’s also a selection of Birthday, Anniversary and Wedding cards. (”Here’s to the bride and groom.*”…”*Thanks for all the free booze!”)

If you need more cool wedding ideas, the Brooklyn Bride is a treasure trove of fun and interesting ideas for a really cool wedding (even if you’re not cool enough to BE a Brooklyn Bride…)