By Charles W. Jones
The Cincinnati Enquirer

When one of my co-workers told me about Progressive Daters, I had reservations, but decided to take a chance.

I arrived at Jillian's in Covington at 6:07, fashionably late considering registration was slated to close at 6:10.

Jones

Jillian's has always been a fun place for me - games and music blaring, excitement around every turn. Today, it seemed so quiet.

Everyone seemed to notice me and stare. Like a journey through an empty cavern, as I walked to the elevator it seemed I could hear my every step.

A group of about eight women, laughing and jostling each other, caught up to me and took lead. I heard them trying to convince each other that they were just here for fun and how they weren't going to take things all that seriously.

So what was wrong with me? Why was I on pins and needles?

We rode the elevator to the fourth floor. The doors opened and there were people everywhere, all shapes and sizes, lined up like at a county fair, paying their fee for potential love.

Would I find love tonight? I would be elated at simply finding a friend or two to hang out with. But of course if SHE was sitting across the table from me, I wouldn't let some uneasy nerves turn her away.

While in line, the guy in front of me quickly engages me in conversation. What a relief. I figure him to be as nervous as I am.

We move as an assembly line. I'm given a packet containing my number/name badge, an explanation sheet and another sheet, obviously, for me to make my selections. Just then, I see her. She has eyes and a smile with world-changing possibilities. My nervousness quickly fades. I don't want to give up too much so I give her a hint of a smile and move to the bar.

More potentials come in with their own look of nervousness. The room fills and as I look around, I know it's going to be a good night.

The director explains how the system works; a no-nonsense approach. My potential and I share three minutes to wow each other.

After three minutes, a whistle is blown and we move to the next date. We write the other person's name and badge number and mark whether or not we would like to see that person again. If a match is made, we're contacted with the other person's e-mail and, if still interested, the dating commences. Pretty simple. There are two sessions going that night - basically a white group and one for African-Americans.

The whistle blows and a flurry of conversations take over the room.

What was I so nervous about? As I move around the room, I meet all types of women.

There are some who work in the social services field, a grad student, an artist and even a librarian is in the mix. For the low number, I'm pleased to find a few gems worthy of my putting in a "guess who's coming to dinner" call to my parents.

Did I meet HER, The ONE, my mate for life or maybe a month or two? I'm not sure. After I get my e-mail results, only time will tell.