JD Buckridge

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you like to do in your free time. I’m a single dad of four kids and love spending time with all of them. I am also a small business owner and a part of a new start-up business that serves five states. I love all things sports and coffee, especially Notre Dame football. You can typically find me at a local high school home football game (go, Eagles!) on a Friday night or at my middle son’s football and basketball games throughout the year.

I am typically found at a local coffee shop sipping on my favorite go-to drink, and one may classify me as a bit of a coffee snob (they all vary from shop to shop because I love them all). I also enjoy playing my guitar on my front porch, diving into a good book or even catching a movie here and there.

Occupation: Waitress/Bartender at Finn’s • Joplin, MO • Age: 28

When did you last sing to yourself or someone else? On the way here to the interview in my car.

For what in your life do you feel the most grateful? Most grateful for family, friends and music and dancing.

If you could learn one skill or ability perfectly, what would it be, and why? I would like to learn freediving and surfing because of the ocean. There’s always something beautiful to discover under the sea.

What does your dream first date look like? Cooking dinner because I love cooking. Cuddling and a movie, but if I don’t know you, maybe just the movie. Going on a hike or thrift shopping, car shows.

Occupation: President/CEO at Higher Vision, LLC • Joplin, MO • Age: 44

What do you look for in a partner? First and foremost would be a person of faith as I am a devout Christian. Someone who also shares my sense of values and love for entrepreneurship and small business. Someone who will be a true partner in life and not just a stay-at-home kind of partner. One of my personal passions is investing in small business owners and leaders, so I’d like to have by my side someone who can do the same.

What are your dealbreakers? Anyone who will not pray for me or others. Again, faith is HUGE for me, so this is a must. Someone who cannot hold a back-and-forth conversation or makes the conversations only about themselves. Someone who is not willing to think outside of the box and go the extra mile for others. I’m really seeking someone who is selfless and loves to serve.

What does your dream first date look like? A typical first date would be to start off at a coffee shop to really connect and just hang out first while waiting on reservations at a nice local restaurant. Then a nice dinner at a local spot and if things go well, drinks at the same establishment followed by another coffee run (did I say I love coffee already?) followed by a nice walk in Mercy Park or King Jack Park.

Favorite love song? Oh, you got me there. I don’t have any favorite love songs, but I’m a huge Foo Fighters fan and can sing along with most tracks and even play some on the guitar. Of course, all things the ‘90s is always a good time.

Melissa Sorden

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you like to do in your free time.

I’m a 59-year-old single mother of four adult children with 11 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. I was raised in Lamar, Missouri, where my father opened a doughnut shop/bakery when I was 12, and I worked there until I got married at 17. I opened a doughnut shop with my first husband. We eventually had seven different shops in the area.

After divorcing, I stayed in the bakery field and managed bakeries in Joplin, Carthage, St. Louis and Oral Roberts University in Tulsa before moving back to Joplin seven years ago.

For fun, I enjoy thrift shopping and spending time with my youngest daughter, my grandson and new greatgranddaughter, and a wonderful crew of friends that fulfill my life.

What do you look for in a partner? I look for someone who is spiritually centered and has a love for our creator.