Rock Island Couple's Search For Love Ended in 7 Minutes
by Nicole Nyarko, Quad-City Times
2003
Susan Esser lost Kevin, the love of her life, on Dec. 9, 1999. Today, as her search for a new love continues, she is helping other singles find theirs.
"The happiness I share with the many couples who have found love reaffirms my faith that God always has a plan," she said.
Since its April 2001 debut, more than 2,000 singles ranging in age from 18 to 70 have participated in Seven Minute Dating at the Novel Cafe in Bettendorf.
Esser knows of seven marriages, 16 engagements and one new baby among people who met that way.
James and Julie Draper, both 39, of Rock Island, met at the matchmaker's speed-dating session Sept. 28, 2001.
James, who was attending his third dating session, met Julie at her first session. Participants talk for seven minutes to a prospective "date" before moving on to another one until the evening is over.
"I was tired of the whole dating and bar scene," said James, a mental health technician at Trinity Regional Health Care Systems. "I was very reluctant at first, but I decided to just go it alone."
After arriving at the Novel Cafe, he realized that all the men were in the same boat.
"Out of all the dates, he seemed the most genuine and sincere," Julie said. "He also did most of the talking."
In their seven minutes, the couple learned that they were the same age, had never been married and didn't have children. They also found out that they both loved pets and the outdoors and attended the same local church.
Julie said James seemed like he had a good heart.
James said Julie was beautiful, had a great smile and had nice nails.
After collecting five telephone numbers without sharing her own, Julie, a Moline Police Department 911 dispatcher, went home.
"It was my first time doing this," she said. "I really was looking for some new single-women friends. I waited a week before I called him."
After four days passed without any word, James said he didn't expect her to call or go out on a date.
But Julie did call. And she agreed to a date.
"I wanted to meet someplace public where we could talk," Julie said. "We had a cappuccino, talked for two hours and have been together ever since. It truly is a blessing how we met."
James said his search for a Christian woman with good values who didn't play games ended when he met Julie.
On May 15, 2002, he proposed. They were married Nov. 29, 2002, at Black Hawk Lodge in Rock Island.
Their advice to others looking for love:
"Be patient, don't look for anything spectacular and go with the flow," James said. "Things will fall into place. Just don't give up."
The couple thanks Esser for her passion in helping others find love.
"You know, she did catch the bouquet at my wedding. This could be a good sign for Susan," Julie said.
For more information: (563) 355-7644 or website at www.7minuteyenta.com
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