Month of fun days wraps up

April 7, 2006.

JUDY STEED, Feature Writer

Erik went out on a date and didn't throw up.

Frank received a lot more "smiles" on Lavalife after he changed his profile and pictures.

Eric and Roger got "matches" at a 25dates.com speed dating event.

Christina got a "match" at Dinnerworks, and turned down a man who said he doesn't want children.

Here's where we stand at the end of the first month of the Get A Relationship Challenge, where we follow 20 participants exploring the singles scene.

Some people are resisting, withdrawing or ill at ease - Terry, Ellen and Neil spring to mind - but most are jumping in with enthusiasm, especially Tod, Diane, Suya, Eric, Erik, Christina, and Wayne.

"I'm having a lot of fun - a lot more fun than I've had in a very long time," says Eric.

David and Lorraine are more reserved or preoccupied with family and professional obligations. (David has three children, Lorraine is a palliative care physician.)

Frank has complaints, but he's busy going to events. Kevin keeps his distance, and so does Jaspreet.

Veronica, after a bold start, is taking a quieter path.

Barbara and Gilaine are taking their time.

Tod thinks the key is to "drop your expectations and just enjoy the moment."

The biggest surprise of the first month? Erik's date. He was honest enough to tell us a few weeks ago at a relationship coaching session with Frankie Doiron (http://www.frankiedoiron.com) that the thought of meeting, let alone going out with, an attractive woman, made him feel nauseated.

Now he's done it and he's singing a happy tune.

The biggest change in an online profile? Frank removed his height restriction of 5-foot-9 in heels. Our Lavalife consultants suggested he was unnecessarily limiting his appeal and we hope he'll consider the experience of an avid Challenge fan.

She's 6 feet tall and always insisted that she would only consider a man of equal or greater height. And, oh yes, he had to have hair. Today she's in love. Her beloved doesn't quite reach 5-foot-6 and he's balding.

"You think it matters and then you realize it doesn't," she says. "It sounds like a cliche, but it's the person inside who counts. This is the person I picked."

Don't tell Gilaine. She doesn't care. She's holding out for a tall man.

And Diane's had an epiphany. She doesn't have to turn herself into somebody she's not. All she has to do is be her authentic self.

Next Story: Coming Soon - April 14, 2006

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