George Botelho never thought he would find the love of his life in India.

What he did know was that his options in Bermuda were limited, so when friends suggested he give online dating a try, he went for it.

That is how he met his wife Ritu in 2007. The couple now have a six-year-old son, Christian.

“For me, since I didn’t drink or go to clubs, I had to believe that the Lord could use any means necessary to help me find the right person,” said Mr Botelho. “It was the first time in my life I tried online dating and soon after I found Ritu.”

The Botelhos recently started their own matchmaking site for Bermuda residents. They run Date Night Bermuda (datenightbda.com) through their web and graphic development company, Advanced Services.

Mrs Botelho said they were inspired by their own successful online love match. “These sites are a common thing for us [in India] because India is so big and it’s an easy way to connect with the right person who has a similar background,” she said.

“George was new to it, but my profile had been on the site for three years before I met him.”

It was clear they had a strong connection even before they met in person, Mr Botelho said.

“Instantly chatting with her online I knew she was the kind of person I’d like to meet,” he said.

“She was responsible and hard working and honest. I also liked that she happened to have a lot of education.

“I felt like anyone with a double master’s degree had to be someone with real staying power. It takes a lot of hard work to stay in school and achieve those degrees in the first place.”

Mrs Botelho said she realised how compatible they were after their first conversation on the phone.

She imagined they would just talk for ten minutes and introduce themselves.

Eighty minutes later they were still talking and laughing.

“I really liked him from the beginning and was in love with him before even seeing each other for the first time,” Mrs Botelho said.

“I knew inside he was the right person for me and I would be happy with him.

“In his online profile George described himself really well and that was the main thing because, in my opinion, people who did that were really serious about finding a match, instead of just writing a line or two.

“He had similar qualities that I was looking for. He was responsible, family-oriented and God-fearing.”

A few months later, Mr Botelho met her family near to Hyderabad, in the southern Indian state of Telangana.

“She was working and had just started her job, so her employer wouldn’t have looked favourably if she had left to come see me,” he said.

“I was in her hometown visiting her family. I didn’t think I was going to get to meet her that trip.

“But after her parents picked me up from the airport and took me to their beautiful home, they sat me down in their living room and then she came through dressed in this beautiful sari. It was an incredible moment.”

The couple were engaged and then married soon after.

They hope their website will help others to find the person they are meant to spend their lives with.

“I know not everyone is looking for the one but I think a lot of people are and it’s just not that easy,” Mr Botelho said.

“We are never going to be able to meet everyone, I don’t care how small Bermuda is.

“You aren’t going to be in those circles and have the opportunities and courage to talk to everyone who might be a potential fit for you, but through our site you have access to so many more people.”

People who register are asked to fill out a form sharing the qualities they are looking for in a potential mate.

They are then notified when other singles with the same criteria sign up.

“So many people from all walks of life are seeking companionship, but have been unable to find it,” Mr Botelho said.

“Just considering bars and traditional methods is limited. The truth is no one thing is going to work for everyone, but having more comprehensive choices increases your chances.

“This is an avenue where we can do that.”

The site is accessible 24/7 and gives the option of chatting with potential mates live, or sharing music and videos.