The purpose of the Widow Match program is to connect you with another person with whom you can share the ups and downs of the widowhood journey. Sharing with another widow via written messages can be an avenue for talking about things other people don't understand, airing feelings that are overwhelming, and finding comfort in knowing you are not alone. This program does not take the place of professional counseling, is not a forum for providing or receiving spiritual guidance, and should not be a burden on either party.
After signing up for this program you will immediately receive an e-mail providing you with the names and e-mail addresses of three people who are seeking a widowed friend to correspond with by e-mail. Your name will also be added to our database as a potential match for people who sign up in the future. This means in addition to your first matching opportunities received from SSLF, you may receive a note from another widowed person at some random point in the future.
Please be aware that the program you are signing up for is interactive. When someone sends a note out into the wide Internet world they are hoping to find another person who understands this unique journey. There is nothing so disappointing as sending a note of introduction, and receivng nothing in return. So we ask that you take a moment to respond to any notes you receive. That said, it does sometimes take more than one attempt to find a person suited to your personality and life philosphies, so we encourage you to contact us if you need additional match opportunities.
Once you have entered our program, you will be matched with people who are within ten years of you in age; will have lost their husband or partner within six months of the time of your loss; and will be in the same situation as you regarding having or not having children. The match opportunities provided may live anywhere in the world, and may have lost their loved one in any number of ways. What we have discovered is that no matter how you lose the love of your life, we all wake up the day after a life altering loss and ask the question, "Now what?" Answering this question often becomes the pivotal challenge of widowhood.
Read on for a few comments about how being a part of the Widow Match program has impacted our members lives...
"I cannot begin to tell you what my match through widowsbond has meant to me. I felt like I was the only one out there, and finding widowsbond has been a godsend. My match and I exchanged e-mails and it seemed that immediately there was a bond, we are often on the same page. I can say things to her that I cannot share with anyone else, because she understands. I live in Kansas and she is in California, but someday I would love to meet her in person. I just cannot say enough about how my match has helped me learn to live again." ~Monica, CA
"I live in Kansas and was matched with a woman in northern California. We both lost our husbands in June. We are similar in age, have children similar ages, and similar circumstances. We have exchanged e-mails on a regular basis and now visit on the phone. She has been the best support for me, because she knows exactly what I am going through and I understand what she is going through. We are on the same page! It is so wonderful to have someone who really understands and relates to me. I can't thank you enough for this match!" ~Theresa, KS
"I am very new to the Widow Match program, but have greatly appreciated the care and support I have received from the two ladies I have been talking to. One is in TN and the other in CA. They both have a little more time under their belts than I do. Both are close in age to me and one has a similar situation to me. I have friends who have tried to be supportive but they can't possibly understand what I am feeling. I have really appreciated the friends I have made through your program. Thank you so much for creating widowsbond." ~Teri, ND
Our hope is that the relationships you build through the Widow Match program will be a source of both comfort and hope. This program has created some incredible, life-long friendships.