GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Growing up in Minnesota, Julia McClellan has come to appreciate the value of fridge-front real estate during the holiday season.
"Of course, that's where I have to put my Christmas cards," McClellan said. "I'm obsessed with Christmas."
Because of her love for the holiday, McClellan says she decided to make her own Christmas card this year.
But as a professional marketer, she also decided to use her little parcel of space to market herself.
"I put a little secret message on here," McClellan said. "It says, 'Are you seeing this on my friend's fridge? Are you a single male between 25 and 35? I'm Julia and this is my pup.' I also list my phone number.'"
McClellan says the card was her lighthearted way of acknowledging a struggle that she, and many other singles have encountered navigating dating apps like Hinge and Bumble.
McClellan: "This really started with a lot of bad dates and me thinking, 'It's the end of the year and I want to do something that's kind of funny and make my friends laugh.' That was the real intention."
Kent: "But here we are."
McClellan: "Yeah! A couple of people sent it to other people and here we are, in my living room chatting about this... on tv."
In a video she posted about her card on TikTok, McClellan acknowledged that she is far from alone when encountering bad dates online, but she says 2023 seemed to be even worse than ever.
"On one date this guy was telling me that he has some female co-workers," she said. "He was like, you know, 'I've just decided that females can't make a rational decision on their own.' I was like, 'I'm about to make a really rational decision.' Needless to say, we did not go on a second date. It's a little bit like, 'Hello?!' can we have a normal conversation? Just have a nice time?"
She insists she's not in search of a certain type, just a great guy in that 25 to 35 age range.
"I'm 27, so I don't want to go too much younger than my age," she said. "Just a mature man would be great."
And she said there is only one other requirement.
McClellan: "You've got to love dogs. If you don't love dogs, I don't know... therapy?"
Erdahl: "Any good responses from those friends or family?"
McClellan: "A lot of laughter is the main reply. 'This is amazing. I can't believe you did this.'"
Erdahl: "And your parents?"
McClellan: "Oh, it's on my parents' fridge. I mean, my parents, have friends of all ages so you never know if someone my age might walk through their kitchen, but they're in Florida. I'm looking for a Minnesota man."
Erdahl: "Well we're going to put this up on that big television fridge, you ready for an influx of messages?"
McClellan: "I mean, you've got to try something, so sure. Why not?"
If you'd like to connect with Julia, she says you can reach out on Instagram @juliamcclellan or TikTok @juliamcclellan0
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