Is it possible to find love in Louisville? And do you even want to? That’s what we asked 12 single men and women back in February. Their journeys have been varied, some faring better than others, though all have admitted they’ve learned at least something in the past five months.

When we last talked, The Voice-Tribune challenged the singles to try something new to further themselves, whether in love or life. This week, our 12 singles give us an update on their lives and whether they accepted the challenge.

J.P. Davis, 27

J.P. may not have had much luck in the love department since The Voice Tribune last spoke with him, but he did meet a special someone.

“I’m fortunate to have met Jessica Moore, another single profiled in the last article,” he said. The fellow University of Louisville alumni have become fast friends. J.P. has also begun to value himself more.

“I’m continuing to focus on making things right in my own life. I’m exercising more everyday, eating a great diet that fits my body and goals, meditating frequently, saying ‘no’ more often and allowing more ‘J.P. Time,’ learning as much as I can, traveling whenever I can, exploring my spirituality and building my relationship with my family.”

In February, J.P. expressed how much more content he’d become in 2006 after realizing he was gay. Moving forward, J.P. is going to focus more attention on dating.

“I do realize I don’t put myself out there enough. I’m reaching a time in my life where I’d really like to start sharing it with someone special.”  

Jessica Moore, 29

There’s no doubt that Jessica is a fearless femme. The Best Dressed 2009 winner is a prosecutor for the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, doesn’t hesitate to put herself out there for the numerous causes she backs and she has been willing to go on record about her dating life in The Voice-Tribune. But to share the ups and downs on national television? We’ll just have to wait and see.

“I actually did apply for a reality TV dating show and was contacted by the producers to send a tape of myself … and did send in the information. What an experience that would be!”

Since February, Jessica has forged a friendship with her fellow single, J.P. Davis, and been introduced to some great guys, though nothing has developed thus far.

“I continue to learn about myself and realize I am in a great place in my life right now,” she said. “I have an excitement stirring in me where I feel that great things are just around the corner in the love department. I know I want to get married and have a family and I know it will happen – when the time is right.”

Sami Sturgeon, 27

A work promotion landed Sami in North Carolina in March, which has added a bit of, um, spice to her love life.

“As soon as I moved, I was asked out by more guys than I’ve ever been.” The problem? “A lot of them are guys I’m not interested in or guys who are playing the circuit and dating other women you know. … I have had some of the most horrific and hilarious dating stories,” she said, chuckling.

While the move hasn’t exactly improved Sami’s dating life, it has given her an even deeper appreciation for Louisville.

“I miss it so much. I miss my social life. I miss the philanthropic events. I miss the panoramic view of the city at night.”

Sami does come back home every six to eight weeks to get her hair done at Joseph’s Salon & Spa, and she’s hoping she’ll be able to find a position within her company that will allow her to move back to the River City. Until then, she’s going to be patient.

“(The move) has been liberating for me. I think I’ve finally gotten more comfortable with myself and confident with me,” Sami said. “I want to be the girl who holds my own before I find the guy to share it with.”

Frankie Hilbert, 29

Since talking to The Voice-Tribune for the February article, Frankie said he’s gone on a few dates but nothing serious. Adversity can be a blessing, he said, and he hopes to one day find someone who agrees. After all, he’s proof that there is strength in overcoming obstacles.

In 2008, hours after the Kentucky Derby had been run and thousands of people celebrated around the city, Frankie suddenly collapsed and had a seizure that left him unable to move much of his left side.

“I knew God wouldn’t have put me through this if He didn’t think I could handle it. There was a reason for what I was going through.”
Today, you have to hear the story come from Frankie’s mouth in order to believe that someone so vibrant, articulate and full of life had to battle for two years to regain his abilities.

“I’ve learned to appreciate the small things in life, like friendships,” he said. “What I went through has made me a better person, a better – hopefully – husband one day. I’ve changed the way I live to just being better.”

Lulu Frey, 63

Fans of SOAPnet’s 2009 docudrama “Southern Belles: Louisville” may remember the episode when Lulu’s daughter, Kellie, one of the stars of the show, started a dating service and set up her mother with a man named Keith.

“He was not planted there,” Lulu said. “He was just at the bookstore at the same time we were there filming. They say timing is everything. In this case, I think timing was excellent.”

Keith and Lulu have been spending quite a bit of time together over the past few months, and for now she’s satisfied with how things are going.

“We had a fabulous date last weekend, but I guess all of our dates are fantastic.” 

Jim Williams, 51

Internet dating may work for some people, but don’t count Jim among them.

“I tried Match.com and eHarmony and never really got many results at all,” he said. Jim did meet a couple of people offline, “but neither one of those has really panned out. When you meet the person, there just wasn’t as much spark as you would think.”

Jim isn’t giving up hope on his quest to find love in Louisville, particularly because he’d like to have a family one day soon.

“It’s just that sometimes it seems a little bit farther away than other times,” he said. The 84WHAS reporter said he is now going to make a concerted effort to workout more often, attend more social events and do a bit of self-reflection.

“I’ve got to figure out what I’m doing wrong in person,” he said. “I honestly can’t figure out what it is.”

Chris Rich

When The Voice-Tribune first talked to Chris about being single, he admitted he was “dating” his ambition. That became even more evident in the months that followed as he worked on Fleur De Lys, a Derby night celebrity gala. Yet, just when Chris thought he didn’t have room or the desire to focus on anything but work, he met someone.

“I wasn’t looking for it. I guess that’s what they say: (Love) hits you when you least expect it,” he said.

Chris’s friends agree with him when he admits that he’s “pretty much been kidnapped” by the new woman in his life. His pals also say he’s absolutely smitten by he gorgeous gal.

As for how he took on the challenge of trying something new, “I took a chance,” Chris said. “I allowed myself to be vulnerable.”

Gary Hirsch, 46

Almost immediately after the initial singles article came out in mid-February, the responses started.

“I couldn’t believe what happened. I got e-mails, letters, people coming to my store (Highland Fish Market and Wine Shoppe in Middletown) to say hello. I was so flattered,” he said. “I’ve met some incredible people, made some incredible contacts.”

Gary said he’s learned his is a shared experience.

“Everybody has a story and the stories are just so similar to what mine is,” he said. Louisville can be a tough place to be single, he added, because “everybody knows everybody, and chances are that if you were to go out with somebody one of your friends may have already dated them.”

Gary said he’s going to continue widening his circle of acquaintances by venturing out to new locations, “but what is next for me, only God know. I’ve made some lifelong friends off of this.”

Anissa Campbell

Anissa took to heart the challenge to try something new.

“What I did differently was I literally didn’t focus on love,” she said.

Instead, she made an effort to meet new friends, started exercising more, took time to read and even took herself out to the movies.

“I am happily single and I’m having a blast. I’ve been focusing more on Anissa and not taking Anissa for granted,” she said. “I’d love to go on more dates, but it’s not going to make or break me. I’m blessed.”

Phyllis Reed-Johnson, 40s

Phyllis has spent much of the past five months consumed by work and raising her daughter.

“If I meet a guy, great, but my focus is on her,” she said. Still, Phyllis’ wish list hasn’t changed. She’d like a “tall, strong, attractive man that’s mature and he has to have a great sense of humor and be honest. And did I say tall?” she said with a laugh.

Phyllis is often told she can be intimidating, which baffles her – “I don’t understand why men say that” – but she did meet a fella last month at a wedding.

“He lives in Atlanta, which is so far, but he’s coming to see me this week,” she said. If it doesn’t work out, Phyllis isn’t sweating it.
“My family loves me. My friends love me. And on top of that I love me,” she said. “I’m not conceited, but all I really need is companionship.”

Dan O’Bryan, 42

Just before the initial article came out, Dan reconnected with an ex-girlfriend via Facebook. It had been 17 years since they’d dated, but over the past few months, they rekindled the relationship.

“I guess you could say we’ve been together ever since,” Dan said. “We both have kids, so that also makes it a lot of fun too.”

Scheri Smith, 32

Scheri recently relocated to another state to take a job in higher education. Scheri was too busy with the move to talk to The Voice-Tribune for this story, but in February, she said she was just fine being single and wouldn’t settle for anyone but the “total package … (someone who) is willing to stick her neck out for such organizations as Louisville Fairness. But most importantly, a person has to be bold yet controlled.”

Contact writer Angie Fenton at 551-2698 or angie@voice-tribune.com.