Yes, this is a question I ponder. Especially since Lehigh Valley Style recently arranged to combine our September Happy Hour with a singles meet-and-greet that Natalie over at Looper’s Grille & Bar in Bethlehem’s South Side has been planning to have.

Now, people in the know around here are aware that Natalie is somewhat the matchmaker. She is a wonderful person who just wants people to be happy and she has a couple of success stories to her credit. Apparently, standing behind a bar as much as she does makes her privy to many patron stories of love gone wrong and of quests to find love.

There’s little doubt that being single in the Lehigh Valley, is in itself, a challenge. It was frustrating in my 20s and now that I am in my 40s it seems nearly impossible. Associates are incredulous, too, because they assume that I meet all kinds of interesting people in my line of work and that it would be easy for me to meet potential love interests. Let me say, it is no easier for me than anyone else. I have the same issues as many single women out there. Although age does complicate the matter, I also have several friends in their 20s and 30s who tell me the same thing: They have no idea where to go to meet single people around here.

The real problem actually exists not just in the location, but more so in the numbers. Yes, you can go to a fine establishment like Looper’s and perhaps get lucky that two potential candidates are there when you are—and that’s on a good night. The truth is that with this typical approach it’s just too hit or miss.

So maybe Natalie is right. Maybe we need to have all the people who want to meet people show up for the Lehigh Valley Style Happy hour on September 15. At least we’ll know that everyone who attends is there with the same objective. And hey, if that doesn’t produce immediate results, LVS is going to feature six lucky singles in an upcoming issue to be chosen from the patrons attending the evening’s festivities. (BTW, you can find more information about the event and the feature on our home page).

 So am I done with dating? Let’s just say I’ll let you know after September 15.