Would You Date Someone You Met Online? [POLL]

It's 2013, and online dating is a billion dollar industry. More and more people are going online when looking for dates--would you?

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day about her frustration with not being able to find a compatible guy in her town. She told me she'd been set up by friends, but so far nothing had worked. She said she wanted to find someone with whom she'd have a lot in common, and I told her to get online and find a man.

She looked at me like I was crazy. She said she'd never try it, that she was too scared to meet a stranger for a date.

I told her that she was the crazy one. 1) It's 2013 and literally EVERYONE is online these days. 2) Online dating allows you to find a compatible person BEFORE you even date, and 3) if you're smart and play it safe, it's not that risky. I mean, it's not like you have to have your first date in an abandoned warehouse.

I met my guy online. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I moved to Tuscaloosa in 2009, and when I was ready to start dating again, I realized I didn't know anyone. I didn't feel comfortable hitting up a bar or club solo, so I thought I would give online dating a try.

I went on some bad dates. I got messages from some skeevy dudes, but I didn't respond. I remember when I found my dude's profile online and trying to gather enough courage to send him a message to say hey.

I finally did. We messaged back and forth for a week, then we stepped it up to Facebook friends (after I Googled this dude to infinity and beyond). He asked for my number after a week or so, and we texted back and forth for almost a month before our first date.

We finally went on that date in July of 2010. I was nervous about meeting him in person after talking for so long... I admit, I was afraid things would be awkward or he wouldn't look anything like his online pictures led me to believe. The minute I saw him, though, all my fears were gone. It was love at first sight--well, more like "love-at-first-in-person-meeting."

Online dating works. I have so many friends who can testify to the fact that it does. What do you think? Would you go online in looking for a date? Cast your vote below, and help me convince my friend that it's time to get her online game on.