About the Expert
Our dating experts have been featured in and have contributed to a variety of national media outlets including The New York Times, Newsweek, CNN, CBS News, Cosmopolitan, and many more. They are available to provide expert insight on a variety of personal dating topics. Contact us today and get in touch.
Ashayla Blakely is an experienced storyteller who has been writing for DatingAdvice.com since 2021. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Telecommunications from the University of Florida. She also earned her MFA in Film Production at Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts. You can often catch her with a script in her hand, calling out the shots in her many directorial roles on set.
Ashayla's Top Posts
117 posts • Last Updated 7/8/25
Let’s be real for a second — dating can be exhausting at times. And if you’re living in a small town, the options are limited, and there isn’t always an... Read More »
One of my favorite episodes from “Modern Family” is the one where Cam tricks Jay into joining an all-gay bowling league. The premise in itself is... Read More »
I'm sure you've heard that old joke: “What does a lesbian bring on a second date? A U-Haul.” It’s a running gag that’s been floating around queer... Read More »
Dating is a mixture of trial and error. While on a date, it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions. But understanding those emotions is key to moving forward... Read More »
Many first dates take place at a bar where the casual atmosphere encourages casual conversation over drinks. Some say after a couple of shots of tequila,... Read More »
The Short Version: Finding a partner can feel like a time crunch, but new available resources are proving that dating is timeless. Matchmaker Misao McBride... Read More »
People choose to live a sober lifestyle for a variety of reasons. Sobriety can help individuals reach clarity and work on self-improvement without being... Read More »
He’s hot. She’s cute. They’ve got rizz for days. How do you make your interest known? The answer is flirting! Let’s get straight into it — flirting is a... Read More »
The Short Version: Finding a date isn’t as difficult as it used to be. While online dating is an incredible dating resource, it can be a bit tricky to... Read More »
If you’re searching for the meaning of romance, you may have a hard time finding an exact answer. What romance means to me is not necessarily what it means... Read More »
A sugar momma is many things, but above all, she is a force to be reckoned with! The term sugar momma refers to a wealthy woman who buys gifts or pays an... Read More »
In high school health class, nothing raised eyebrows more than the word “abstinence.” You want us — a classroom of hormonal, pubescent teenagers —... Read More »
Date nights are the glue that keeps a relationship going. A date night is an intentional, planned occasion where couples set aside time to focus on each... Read More »
The rise of the sex-positive movement means societal attitudes are shifting in a new direction. Casual sex may have been frowned upon decades ago,... Read More »
Finding love today is different from when our parents were courting one another. From the comfort of their homes, singles can talk, mingle, and date... Read More »
The Short Version: International dating was once out of the question considering it was almost impossible to get in contact with someone across the world... Read More »
“Will you be my girlfriend/boyfriend? Check box yes or no.” In school days, little notes may have been the easiest way to make things official with someone... Read More »
I remember the day my boyfriend and I received notification that we had both been accepted into our dream Master's programs. Me at Florida State University... Read More »
After going on several baecations with my boo, I realized that traveling is a love language of mine. There’s just something about going to a new place and... Read More »
From being called a best friend to a girlfriend, titles have always been very important to me in relationships. I guess you can say I felt this way because... Read More »