I never saw the show, so I have no idea about who’s what and why.

“Reality” TV is something I just don’t get, but maybe it isn’t any more unreal than online dating, speed dating, etc. … or even meeting in a bar or club. In the end, it’s two people who either like each other and have things in common, or don’t, regardless of how they met.

So, can they work? Why not?

Kat Wilder’s last blog post..Virginity, going once, twice, sold …

I really enjoyed this show as I am 38 and a Mom of two young and wonderful kids (5 & 2). I am just trying to get the nerve to get back out there again after being separated for 8 months. This show helped me realize that it is OK to put yourself first sometimes. I love my children with everything that I am but I am now looking forward to all my future possibilites.

I don’t know why but I knew from the very beginning that Kristin will pick Chris. I have a feeling that they will have a lasting relationship.
When they came down to pick from the remaining 2 suitors, I knew that Vanessa will pick Michael. I was was hoping that she’ll pick Paul but she was right when she said there has to be a spark. After all, this is for her. I just hope that Michael will build patience with kids along the way.
I think Tracy wanted Eric but I’m glad she chose to work on her daughter. She needs to do that before she can even think about dating. Paris is out of control.
I would like to see how these people are doing with their choices, especially Kristin and Vanessa. I wish them all the best!

Hello Rachael!
I have to say I was so bummed with the finale ONLY because the woman did not choose the men I wanted them to LOL…

I really wanted Kristin and Luke and Vanessa and Paul to hook up but ya know I am do not know their hearts and From what I heard there was more that we as the audience did not get to see.

In saying all that I do know Kristin and Luke have become good friends. Paul and Vanessa have talked since the show was taped.

I for one have made friends with a few from the show and I have to say I am truly blessed by them. What you see on the show is who they are. I have spoken to (via email ) Paul and Luke and they are going to be quite the catch for some lucky woman.

Kristin and I have not talked only through blogs and she is as sweet as sweet can get. She is truly sincere and wants the best for her and her children. She is the best mommy!

I loved the show! I myself am not single but I was at one time a single mom so I totally understand the Woman and the Men (with kids) being cautious about who they let their kids around. This is a Good thing.

I just have recently (briefly) spoken to David and he is just as nice as he appeared on the show.

There are some things we do not know about what has transpired after the taping but I will let those that are involved share if they wish it to be known.

I just have to say that I really saw REAL people on this show. Some of them on the show did not show thier true sides which is a shame. How do you build a relationship when you are hiding the truth about who you are. This is also what single people have to deal with when meeting new people. It is a shame we all cannot be upfront and honest People get hurt this way.

I have not had a chance to chat with Vanessa or Tracy.

I do feel Tracy made the right decision and she has posted on TLC forums. She knows what she has to do and is doing it and learning herself. She is a Smart Cookie!

I hope TLC does this show again. From all the posts I have seen it has been a positive effect on those that are single (and with kids).

I hope to stay in contact with all my new friends (that includes you Rachel).

It is nice to know that there are still REAL people out there with hearts that are sincere.

I feel honored to have had the chance to meet the people from the show.

What I feel is interesting is that I do not watch reality shows much. What I mean to say is that I do not get into them so much I have to TiVO them so I do not miss an episode LOL. This one was different. Was it the show or was it the people that attacked me? I know for one I connected with some of them right off the bat. I said those are people I want in my life as friends. Wierd huh? but when you see a friend you want them in your life. One cannot have to many friends.

Thank you Rachel for allowing me to post my thoughts on your blog. Thank you for your kind words on my wall. MUAH!

Kat: I hear you about reality shows. I just felt compelled to watch this one… because that’s what the party theme is over here, right?

Tecora: I’m so glad you chimed in! (I had a feeling you would.) Like you, I agree that the best part is seeing how real these single moms — and dads — are. The show seemed much more real than, say, The Bachelor.

I think there is potential for a relationship from a reality TV show, if both parties are actually there for the right reasons. I was as much as myself as I could have been. I was there to possibly meet someone for a long term relationship. I would have never had done it without the prodding from my daughter. She was under the impression that I would find someone wonderful to fall in love with. I had to explain to her that it was only a “possibility.” You never know where you are going to find the right person, but opening doors for the opportunity never hurts. I had every intention to continue getting to know Vanessa and opening my heart to her, but as you saw, that was not in the cards for me.

Paul, Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.

You seem incredibly sweet and genuine.

I can only hope that the show opened many doors for you — and your daughter. Please keep us in touch, okay?

There is so much that can be shared about the show and the people involved. I have been fortunate enough to have gotten to know all 6 suitors in our group and several from the other groups. I’ve also had great conversations or e-mail exchanges with some of the shows audience. The show itself was well conceived and generally well received by the single parent crowd. As we all know being a single parent brings with it a variety of challenges of which dating is only one. We not only have to put our children first, but we also have to juggle busy schedules which often don’t align well with our partners. We have to find time in our already busy lives to spend getting to know a person’s personality, parenting style, and then if that all works we have to hope that the kids will get along with each other. It takes a lot of work, and for some it seems to be one frustration after another (that would be me.) As for the show itself, during filming we were not allowed the luxury to actually get to know each other as we would have had we met under normal conditions. The fact that none of the relations worked out romantically shouldn’t surprise anyone. On the positive side there were many friendships started and the bonds that were formed between some of us have the potential to last a lifetime. In our group Kristen, Luke, Phil and I were able to get together and watch the final episode. (I should mention that Mark from Tracy’s group hosted our get together and he too is very genuine and has a great personality) It was the first time we were all able to get together without a camera in our faces. I can tell everyone this much: The incredible personalities of these people that you saw on the show were very real and I for one feel very fortunate to have been a part of this process.

Thanks David — especially for cluing us into the fact that when you’re dating on TV, it’s unnatural. So, you weren’t allowed to text Kristin after your date to say, “Thanks for the good time”?

I just got a glimpse of the finale photos on Luke’s Facebook page. I hope he might consider letting me post a couple of the shots here…. I already have a title: “Kristin and the Boys.”

Where were Tracy and Vanessa?

As soon as the filming was over for the day we were all promptly rushed out the door by the producers. No texting, no phone calls, no romantic notes, we didn’t even know if we’d be invited back for another date. (The producers were very nice about it and Danielle if you read this, I thought you and Lisa were great to work with.)

You are welcome to use any of the pictures on my facebook page. We all like you and the positive way you have enhanced all of our experience. I’m sure that everyone else will be fine with it too.

Way to suck up to the producers, David! Just kidding…David’s right, they were great, it was just frustrating to not know what was coming up (or if you were leaving).

Regarding whether there could be any contact after the cameras out of our faces, we would’ve gotten into some serious trouble if we’d tried to do so. As it was, due to the busy production schedule (much busier than those of us who were on the show), we generally heard from Danielle or Lisa sometime after Midnight regarding the next day’s time and place (and sometimes we knew the activity, sometimes not).

And, just realize, what you saw on TV was what they wanted you to see…there was actually a great deal more chemistry between Kristin and I, particularly in the final days, than the show let on…of course, it was definitely more friendship chemistry than romantic chemistry, which is why we are such good friends now that the show is over.

as you can see by the Posts Racheal REAL GENUINE people with sincere hearts…

what I sensed about a certian number of people on this show were correct. I always follow my gut and as you can see here THESE PEOPLE ARE REAL!

Ah ha, Luke, so they cut out the chemistry! Thanks for letting me know… I wish I could see those cut scenes.

I just got off the phone with Kristin and she gave me the heads up about which photos I can use… and which ones I CAN’T.

Okay - just so we’re all on the same page, I’m not nixing the pics where I look like a goob (all pics, LOL - except some David takes, he’s pretty amazing with a camera!), I was only nixing that one pic where one or more of us might… possibly… have made an inappropriate hand gesture - that’s all I’m saying!

I enjoyed the final episode…although I misjudged who the women would pick. I am glad Tracy decided to continue to focus on Paris.

Dear Rachel,

You have been awarded a Certified Honest Blogger Award!

Stop by my blog for details…

xoxoxoxo

deesha’s last blog post..I’d like to thank the Academy…

I thought Vanessa lost a wonderful man (Paul) he is the man most people dream of spending their lives with, anyone would be lucky to share their lives with him…

P.S.- Does anyone know where filming took place?

Susan,
San Diego, right guys?
I know that all of you are from the San Diego area, so I was assuming that filming took place in southern Cali.

Deesha: Thanks darling!!

Kristin: You are clearly Ms. Photogenic. Wow.

Luke: Thanks for the pics.

To the Must Love Kids crew: I’m amazed by how many of you are seriously dating someone right now — whom you did NOT meet on the show. Care to share details?

I would love to know how it worked out between the 3 woman and their picks, are they still together?
Please share….

Hi, Susan - I (wordy, wordy I) replied to one of Rachel’s other Must Love Kids blog postings & there’s a wee bit of relevant text I thought I’d share here, too:

… because of all of the hullabaloo about that same aftermath question on some other websites, I don’t want to recap here & risk sounding biased in some way, if that makes any sense? Rachel had mentioned maybe doing a follow-up interview to answer some of these questions & I would love that - but the long & the short of it is that Chris & I are not together - and without speaking with Vanessa first I can’t say what she’s comfortable sharing about her own situation. I’m sure she’d be alright with my sharing that we’ve talked and we’re both really happy with where we are right now and with the outcome.
Thank you so much for watching!
-Kristin

Kristin: Thanks so much for the update!

Chris: Want to chime in here?

Vanessa?….

Kristin RE: the picture you commented about…are you talking about the one where you all are saying you all are number 1? (wink wink) GOTCHYA!

um… yeah! That’s it, Tecora!
It was the flagrant arrogance of …ya know… just making that statement, that we were #1 & all, & I just thought that might give a bad impression & all…

not with me Kristin …there are more important things in life then to get all bent out of shape with things like that….heck people tell me I am number 1 all the time on the freeway….

Slimy? And you want me to chime in? Pass.

Kristin, Paul, David, and Luke. It was a pleasure to meet you all. You are all very nice and genuine people, and I would love hang out with any one of you cuz I had such a great time on the show. Sorry to say, I am done with all the “smack talk” on pretty much all of these blogs. My family, friends, and I are totally upset with the way that I have been portrayed on these sights. I will no longer defend myself against people that slam me because they THINK they know what kind of person I am based upon their opinion of what I do for a living or because Kristin and I did not “hit it off” after the show was done filming. I will NOT respond to anymore blogs or forums that depict me in this way.

Thanks Kristin, I’m glad you’re happy, that’s all that really matters…You are a great mom, and your children are beautiful..good luck to you..

I loved the series Must Love Kids, but unfortunately missed a few of the episodes including the finale. I must say, I’m disappointed that Vanessa chose Michael! I wanted her to choose Paul! Do you know how I can get a hold of the episodes on dvd or something? I’ve been pestering TLC.com, and they just tell me to keep checking the Discovery Store. Since you seem to be on the inside, hopefully you can let me know what to do! Thanks! Love the site!

To Kristin: I just wanted to let you know that you seem like such a great mom and role model for your kids! I was raised by a wonderful single mother and never felt slighted by not having a dad at home, so I can recognize a good mom when I see one! It is so refreshing to see such well behaved kids (especially in such stark contrast to another child from the series who shall remain nameless!). I wish you all the best in the future… and you should give Paul a call now that he’s available!

I loved the show. I watch realty TV with a grain of salt. I do have to say that I really enjoyed this show. All the people in the final 2 episodes seem like truly great, patient people. I have no idea how I would adjust to having a camera follow me around while trying to make a connection with someone. Top that by adding instant semi-fame and that’s a lot of change and stress for all that participated. I think, all-in-all it may not have accurately depicted all the people involved; but it accurately depicts the challenges of dating as a single parent. I am a single parent and have a hard time juggling my career, kids, and then dating. Reality or non-reality; dating is definitely challenging. I don’t think anyone should be commenting on the moms choices in a negative way. Only they can discern the best for themselves and their kids. Chemistry is a big part of making an initial choice, and that’s really hard to see on TV.I will say that seeing guys like Paul, Chris, Luke, Mark etc gives me hope that there are still decent good guys out there. Sometimes dating can make you feel otherwise.

How do i get a hold of Paul? I love this show and loved Paul from the beginning. I was sad when he wasn’t picked — then brought myself out of my reverie.

Yahoo! This means he is still available!! I wish all the ladies good luck in finding whatever comes their way. Paul you are an incredible catch and any woman in her right mind would love what you have to offer! Keep up the search with an open heart..you had my attention from the beginning:) LOL…God bless, Jessica

Jessica,
I just sent an email to Paul with your comment… and your email, if he wants to make contact. Good luck! He is certainly a catch.