Finding love without Web

By Paula Burkes Erickson

Published: February 18, 2008

Hershel Lamirand admits it was kind of a ruse when he devised a way to meet Ann Ackerman. Lamirand was serving as program director to new members in a local civic organization when he asked Ackerman, who has a doctorate in mathematics, to help him develop a quantifiable evaluation system for the organization.

"I knew she was challenged by math, especially in a social setting,” Lamirand said. "So, it was a good legal way to ask her to help me with something so we could get together.”

More than 20 years later, Lamirand and Ackerman still enjoy being together. "Opposites might attract, but the more people share in common, the happier they tend to be,” he said.

Said Ackerman, "A good way to meet friends — male or female — is through activities you both enjoy or are passionate about. Those could be civic involvement, church, sports or exercise facilities.”

Among other things, the couple enjoy mysteries, comedies, the mountains and the beach.

In addition to online dating services and civic organizations, there are several other ways to meet someone special, including athletic and church groups, speed dating and more.

John Wente, membership chairman of the Oklahoma Bicycle Society, said cyclists commonly meet through the organization. Couples intersect on weekly rides, at monthly meetings and on annual weeklong tours.

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Cupid.com touts pre-dating — or speed dating — where singles pay $35 to $45 to meet six to 15 prospective partners face-to-face for six minutes each at one event.

"It's a fantastic way to meet people,” spokesman Michael Clarke said. "If you don't like the person, you only spend six minutes with them versus an hour-long date.” At the sound of a bell, speed daters move on to the next "date.”

Upcoming events include Feb. 22, March 7 and March 21 at Ole Blues, 946 N Flood in Norman. Following socials, participants go online to www.cupid.com and get a list of the people they met to whom they click "yes” or "no,” as well as get a list of people who said "yes” to them.

Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City averages 300 people in its singles ministry. Classes, which organize their own social activities, include people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50 and older.

"We've married many folks to each other,” Chris Flickinger, singles pastor, said.

"They may meet their special someone. But they're here to study the Bible and become disciples of Christ,” Flickinger said.

"It takes the pressure off of game-playing. "We're not trying to provide a meat market for singles. When couples get together, it's authentic.”

Cheryl Segrest of Edmond recommends singles agree to setups by relatives. Her father-in-law set her up with his son, her husband, 21 years ago. She was working for him in a restaurant when a snowstorm compelled her to accompany him home, where she met her eventual husband, Darren Segrest.

"He is still the love of my life and is truly a wonderful person,” she said. The couple have a son and daughter, ages 13 and 10.

Comments