Christy Kerns on the Art of Matchmaking and Meaningful Connections

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

In a world where dating apps have taken over the modern romance landscape, a more personalized and intentional approach to finding love is making waves. Christy Kerns, Vice President of Client Relations at LUMA, has spent 26 years in the matchmaking industry, helping singles find meaningful and lasting relationships. With a passion for human connection and a deep understanding of the dating world, Christy sheds light on the art of matchmaking and why it offers a far superior alternative to the often disheartening world of dating apps.

Unlike many who stumble into their careers, Christy found her calling in matchmaking early on and never looked back. “I started when I was quite young—it’s the only career I’ve ever had. I absolutely love it. I feel like it’s the best job in the whole world,” she shares. For the past seven years, she has worked alongside April Davis, the founding matchmaker of LUMA, helping individuals find their perfect match through an in-depth, hands-on process.

The LUMA approach focuses on working with quality singles who are at a point in their lives where they genuinely want a meaningful relationship. “Most people who come to us feel life is better when they have the right partner to share it with,” Christy explains.

Unlike the swipe culture of dating apps, matchmaking is highly personalized. Each client at LUMA goes through an extensive interview and screening process to ensure they are truly ready for a relationship.

“We make sure our clients have dealt with past hurt, past relationship issues, and are now in a place where they’re ready for a fresh start,” Christy says. “We cover their values, interests, hobbies—everything that makes them who they are. We also take time to understand what hasn’t worked for them in past relationships so we can create a customized game plan to find them the best relationship they’ve ever had.”

With a nationwide database of over 100,000 singles, LUMA has a vast network to pull from when looking for the right match. “Anyone can submit their profile for free and be in our singles database,” Christy reveals. “But when we introduce a client to someone, they are thoroughly screened and vetted to ensure they share similar goals, values, and a like-minded approach to life.”

While dating apps boast millions of users, they have an alarmingly low success rate—with only 5-7% of users finding a meaningful, long-term relationship. In contrast, LUMA’s success rate stands at an impressive 85%.

“A lot of the clients who come to LUMA have tried dating apps and just got burned out,” Christy says. “There’s so much time wasted on endless swiping and chatting, only to end up on superficial dates that go nowhere.”

She points out a major flaw in the dating app industry—it thrives on keeping users addicted rather than actually helping them find love. “Dating apps aren’t designed for marriage-minded people,” she explains. “They make their money by keeping users hooked, always wondering, ‘What’s next? Who else is out there?’ It’s a constant cycle that prevents people from truly committing.”

One of the biggest advantages of working with a matchmaker is that every introduction is purposeful. Clients aren’t just meeting random people—they are meeting someone who has been carefully selected for them.

“When people meet through matchmaking, they are intentional about finding a serious relationship,” Christy emphasizes. “They don’t want to just date around aimlessly. When they meet someone with a real connection, they focus on building that relationship rather than always looking for the next best thing.”

Additionally, LUMA offers something dating apps never could—personal coaching and guidance. “All of our matchmakers are also certified life coaches,” Christy says. “After each date, we check in with our clients to discuss how it went. If they had a great connection, we encourage a second date because chemistry often builds over time.”

Forget the typical dinner date—LUMA takes dating to the next level by curating exciting and engaging experiences.

“We like to plan activity-based dates,” Christy shares. “It could be kayaking, a dinner cruise, a museum visit, or even axe throwing—anything that allows people to interact in a fun and relaxed setting.”

She explains that when people engage in an activity together, it naturally takes the pressure off the date. “It creates a more organic connection. There’s no awkward ‘interview-style’ conversation—it’s just two people enjoying a shared experience.”

First dates can be nerve-wracking, and misinterpretations can easily lead to missed opportunities. This is where LUMA’s matchmakers play a crucial role.

“Often, we see one person say, ‘I had a great time!’ while the other has reservations about something small that was said or done,” Christy explains. “But when we follow up, we often find that it was just a misunderstanding. We help clear up confusion and encourage a second date, which can completely change the dynamic.”

Unlike traditional dating, LUMA’s clients aren’t limited by geography. Many successful matches are made across state lines, proving that distance is no barrier to love.

“True love will never be prevented by distance,” Christy asserts. “If two people are meant to be together, they’ll make it work.” Many clients are even willing to relocate for the right person, proving that finding the best match matters more than finding the closest match.

For those frustrated by the modern dating scene, matchmaking offers a more effective and rewarding path to love. With expert guidance, careful vetting, and a focus on long-term compatibility, it’s no surprise that more and more singles are turning to LUMA for help.

If you’re tired of the endless swiping and ready to find a meaningful connection, matchmaking might be the answer. And as Christy Kerns proves, when it comes to finding love, having the right support makes all the difference.