Since I'm a relatively old guy, I'll tell you how it used to work. Before cell phones, online dating and apps, the way people met people was through friends, or at work, or god forbid, randomly approaching a stranger and introducing oneself, usually at a nightclub or bar, but sometimes at a supermarket or cafe. Rejection happened in one's face publicly in front of other people!
And back in my day your parents would find a good match for you and that would be that. You youngsters screwed up the whole courting scene. It used to be a man could get a good wife if he only had a job. Then you needed charm. And the whippersnappers of today are even worse! Using text!
Someone just shared their heartwarming tale about how they met their spouse using craigslist personals and you have the audacity to tell them that their story is illegitimate because "back in my day" people met differently? Have some heart and recognize that their story of how they met is legitimate, cherished, and deserves protection.
Curious to know what city you lived in when you met. I also met my wife via an online dating site about 7 years ago, and at the time we were under the impression that CL personals were super sketch. Obviously it isn't that way everywhere, but where I am (Palo Alto) that was the belief among all of my friends.