Its a tricky question, but as we near the end of 2009, I've been thinking more and more about what events, people, research, websites, concepts and information have changed the face of dating in the past decade.

As I sift through the options (and there are a lot!) I'd love to hear what you think were some of the most impactful and important dating-related things that came about in the past 10 years. Speed dating perhaps? Books like The Rules (Buy Direct), or He's Just Not That Into You? What about shows like Sex in the City, The Pickup Artist or Queer As Folk/The L Word? Or even the whole concept of pickup artistry as an 'art form', or the increasing number of singles moving towards casual relationships as opposed to long term relationships or marriage? And if I'm going to bring up the whole casual sex and hooking up phenomena, then I also have to mention the numbers that show fewer and fewer cohabitating couples getting married in North America and not using moving in together as a relationship test. I might also want to add online dating, although it did start before 90s but only became mainstream over the past couple of years.

So what about you? What do you think were the most important dating events of the past decade, and why?

Plainbutnotjane in the dating forum asks: "I'm 29 and plain as in not pretty. Think of a cross between Ellen Degeneres and Gisele Bundchen in the face, my features are strong and would look better on a man than a woman. I'm in good condtion, 5' 8" and a size 8, I'm healthy. Good teeth, good hair, I'd make a great show horse.

I'm not sure yet but I might be befriended for the purpose of dating by a nice looking successful man. I'm not about to get my hopes up, I've accepted that I'm not the ideal most men are looking for. At the same time I have butterflies when I get a text or call from him. Then I think why would he waste his time with me when he can do better?

If you're a guy, have you ever dated a plain woman when you could do better? Why? And if you're a woman, are you plain and if so have you dated successfully? Read more...

Its rare that a week goes by where I don't get asked by a reader through the dating forums or dating advice request form whether or not I think their love will last. Thing is, its a very difficult question to answer - especially since I'm only getting as much information as the reader cares to share. Plus, even a healthy relationship can be thrown depending on a variety of factors no one really wants to plan for: the passing of a loved one, losing a job, a sudden health crisis, etc.

Still, there are some common factors that can help guide us towards seeing whether or not a love relationship will stand the test of time. Things like trust and levels of commitment, how friends and family view the relationship and how long you've been together for instance. So I've compiled these known traits into a quiz to help those of you asking along the path: Will Our Love Last? Quiz

But what about you? What do you think are the markers for a long lasting, healthy relationship?

I speak fairly regularly about myself in this blog, whether it be my own dating experiences or those of my friends, family and clients. You know me pretty well if you're a regular reader of this blog, but other than those of you who share your stories through the dating blog or dating forums, I don't know you at all.

So today, I'd like to give you the floor. Who are you? Why do you visit the dating site? Are you in a relationship, dating, or want to be? Do you love to talk about dating and relationships as much as I do? Please share your answers at the bottom of this message. I'd also love it if you voted in my dating polls, specifically the one about what you'd like to see on this site.