Relationships Talk

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — A lot of people look for love on the internet, just maybe not quite like this.

One man decided to “advertise” himself on Facebook.

You know the typical kind of “free to good home” ad. Well it caught plenty of attention and a lot more.

Both had given up on finding love on the dating sites. You could even say both had given up finding love period, until one decided to place an ad.

This was a perfect day for a walk. Something Michael and Sara do a lot of these days — taking the dogs for a stroll.

It’s hard to believe but just short of two years ago these two didn’t even know each other.

That began to change in April of 2017 when this wedding DJ decided to make a change in his life.

“I get to work with happy couples all the time and see their happy ever after so I thought maybe it would might be me. I just had this wild thought before I went to bed that I wonder if I can sell myself on Facebook marketplace,” Michael Nickolich said.

“Original ad said free to good home, single male, 33, no kids, never married, has a job, house broken, dating websites suck so thought I would try here,” he said as he read his ad from his cell phone.

It caught the attention of Sara’s sister who forwarded it to her.

“It is really funny and he is cute. He got my attention,” Sara Claiborne remembered.

Along with an ultimatum.

“I was afraid of rejection I guess so she was like here is the thing either you do it or I am going to. Ok I have to think about this,” she continued nervously.

So she crafted her reply.

“My name is Sara and I am replying on Lafayette Bicycle trade. Are you still available?” Which he responds, “Yes I am.”

I respond back with “I have a mutual feeling toward dating websites. Your post caught my eye and made me smile. Twenty-nine, single, no kids, have never been married, teacher, great laugh. It was a great response,” she said reading from her cell phone.

He received more than a thousand responses to his creative ad, but ultimately it was Sara’s that caught his attention and led to another walk, without the dogs, to a tree in the backyard.

“I start tearing up and getting really clumsy trying to get the ring out, and then got down on one knee and did it,” he said.

She said yes. While the two do not have a date set yet, they do have some advice.

“Taking risks and not being afraid to try new things. I was that person and it got me nowhere until I decided to step out of the comfort zone,” Sara said.