even though I really hated the actual process of it.

Right around the time I turned 30, I found myself single after a long term relationship. Like everyone else, I went online to increase my chances of meeting someone. Back then, Yahoo Personals were free, so I didn't feel like I was committing to anything serious.

My first go at it, I found an ad from an articulate and nice-sounding man my age. I responded to him immediately and we began corresponding for a few months. I wasn't really ready for a serious boyfriend... I had issues I was sorting out from the ex and weight issues and job issues... and I had a gut feeling that we weren't entirely compatible. But I agreed to meet him anyway when he finally convinced me to.

He was cute in person. And we had a great first date. But that was it. I kind of knew that he was "out of my league," at least looks-wise. We kept in touch occasionally after that.

About a year after that experience, he emailed me and wanted to know if I was interested in meeting his friend. He had apparently told his friend about me (they were both single and looking), and his friend had convinced him to set us up.

I ended up liking the friend tremendously. And I sensed a level of compatibility with him that I had never sensed with anyone before. The timing was off, though, as I still wasn't ready for a serious relationship.

So I did my personal work. I quit my boring job and lost the extra weight and rediscovered my passion in life. I took serious steps towards what I knew I wanted, both consciously and subconsciously - which was ultimately to find a partner and become a mother. When I was finally open to meeting someone, and realistic about it, I finally did.

Online dating shouldn't be treated as a substitute for dating, but as a way to increase your odds. Meeting online guy's friend made me realize that maybe -- just maybe -- there was someone out there for me, boosting my confidence long enough to find out that there was.

I have noticed that Salon comments are filled with misogynistic undertones... one of the main reasons I stopped reading them (primarily in Cary Tennis' column). And I noticed that the trolls seem to be tipping the scales in their favor on this particular piece.

But what really made me stop reading all the commentary was the Oprah piece -- which was coincidentally written by a man. The vilification of Lady O just really hit a raw nerve.

I now pretty much expect that anything either a) written by a woman on a topic of interest to women, or b) an article about feminism or any perceived backlash against women -- will elicit the trolls. So I've gone back to doing what I did in the old fashioned past -- I just read the articles.

As usual, great stuff. Keep up the good work, Salon staffers.

I think the marriage won't survive regardless of what happens... so LW should go through with the abortion.

It sounds like her aversion to parenthood is stronger than her bond with her husband...

I also get the sense that LW's "wonderful" hubby is not really clued into the gruntwork that is parenthood (especially of an infant/toddler/young child)...

Ergo, she should have the abortion, and let the rest of the chips fall where they may. If hubby is really into children, he'll eventually find another woman who is, too. And LW can find a man who feels as strongly as she does about NOT having children.

This sadly feels like a lose-lose situation.