Shoot your shot at these 18 single Charlotteans
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From left: Top row: Nancy Petty, Monon Rahman, Mary Kate Ryan and Seph McWhite III. Bottom row: Arin Patterson, KaiLi Freeman, Brandon Hank and Olive. All photos courtesy of each participant
Single in Charlotte? Meet 18 other Charlotteans who are, too.
State of play: We're shaking things up with our usual Blind Date series. And this time, we're letting you shoot your shot.
Zoom in: We asked 18 Charlotte singles to tell us a little about themselves, what they're looking for, and what might catch their eye. All participants self-submitted their answers, which have been edited for length and clarity.
How it works: Think you've found your type while scrolling through? You'll find each participant's social handles at the bottom of their profile so you can reach out.
Haleigh Christ, 36
Job: Store director.
In a sentence: "An equal mix of a grandma and a baddie that never let her inner child die."
Looking for: Men and women, roughly 30-45. Her ideal match has "the essence of Tom Holland" — kind and confident but not arrogant.
Ideal Charlotte date: A cocktail at Goodyear House's bar. If that goes well, stay for dinner.
Favorite spots: Frank's, The Hobbyist, Workman's Friend, Optimist Hall, Summit Coffee and Goodyear House.
Fun fact: She was in math club in high school.
Shoot your shot: @haleighallyn.
Banks Reigel, 29
Job: Mortgage analyst.
In a sentence: Active, social, into arts and crafts, and always willing to "commit to the bit."
Looking for: A woman 26-32 who's driven and comfortable with herself, makes him laugh, and can also have deep conversations.
Ideal Charlotte date: The Whitewater Center to watch the rafts and listen to live music.
Favorite spots: McHale's, Salud, Common Market, Burial, Calle Sol, Freedom Park and Inner Peaks.
Shoot your shot: @banksreigel.
Nancy Petty, 80
Job: Retired.
In a sentence: Young, active and enjoying life.
Looking for: A man 78-90 who's a nonsmoker and "lover of all humans and creatures."
Ideal Charlotte date: Take the light rail to Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in LoSo, then chat and get to know each other.
Favorite spots: The Mint Museum, Trio, and any greenway or park.
Plot twist: The thing people never guess about her? Her age.
Shoot your shot: Find her on Facebook.
Monon Rahman, 27
Job: NASCAR performance engineer.
In a sentence: "A palatable hot mess" who's passionate about his career and other people's ambitions.
Looking for: A woman, roughly 24-30, who appreciates different cultures and is ambitious, independent and adventurous.
Ideal Charlotte date: Check out a new spot or do something interactive, like Puttery, followed by drinks and small bites.
Favorite spots: Substrate, Cotton Room, Thirsty Beaver, Salud, Workman's Friend and Merchant & Trade.
Fun fact: He graduated college at 19.
Shoot your shot: @mononinc.
Asha Ellison, 40
Job: Director of research translation and engagement
In a sentence: "Sunshine mixed with a little hurricane."
Looking for: A man, 35+, who is "single-single for real," kind, curious and passionate about life, with an appreciation for good food, literature, music and nature.
Ideal Charlotte date: Something active, whether that's Frankie's, Topgolf or a painting class.
Favorite spots: Room Service, the Gantt, Antagonist, Lottie's Cafe, Freedom Park and Independence Park.
Fun fact: She's also a part-time food and lifestyle writer.
Shoot your shot: @ashaeatsworld
Olive, 28
Job: E-commerce.
In a sentence: "A little chaotic but the fun kind."
Looking for: A man 26-32 who's open-minded, spontaneous and can find the fun in any situation.
Ideal Charlotte date: Grab coffee and drink it on a walk or at the shop.
Favorite spots: JackBeagle's, Common Market Plaza Midwood, Thirsty Beaver, Wooden Robot Coffee Bar, The Hobbyist, HEX and The Wired Artist.
Yes, and: She wants to visit all 30 NFL stadiums.
Shoot your shot: @oliveoliveoxenfree.
Isaac Oyer, 34
Job: Senior grants analyst.
In a sentence: An empathetic, fun-loving, always-on-the-go guy.
Looking for: A woman 26-41 who lives in Charlotte, doesn't have or want children, and is curious, active and funny.
Ideal Charlotte date: Cocktails at Idlewild or drinks at McHale's, a slice at Zambies, then a walk through NoDa to look up houses on Zillow.
Favorite spots: Workman's Friend, Rally, Vinyl, Whitewater Center, Coterie, Nightswim and Jeff's Bucket Shop.
Fun fact: He's a huge public transit and local politics nerd.
Shoot your shot: @isaacisaginger.
Seph McWhite III, 45
Job: Community engagement and event producer.
In a sentence: "Selfless — the epitome and reflection of the movie 'Love Jones.'"
Looking for: A man 35-45 who's confident and grounded with good energy, conversational skills and independence.
Ideal Charlotte date: A coffee shop or listening bar where you can actually talk.
Favorite spots: Optimist Hall, Comet Grill, Spice and Supper Club.
Plot twist: He knows how to train horses.
Shoot your shot: @SephGM.
KaiLi Freeman, 31
Job: Project manager.
In a sentence: Sarcastic, curious and soft-hearted, with an appreciation for good banter and deep conversations.
Looking for: A man 28-35 who prioritizes faith and family, can make her laugh, and wants to build something real.
Ideal Charlotte date: A live sports event — "except baseball, unless I reallyyyyy think you're cute" — or pisco sours at Yunta.
Favorite spots: The Hobbyist, Freedom Park, Brakeman's Coffee and Azteca.
Shoot your shot: @kaili_freeman.
Neal Moseley, 38
In a sentence: Facilitator of fun.
Looking for: A woman 25-40 who's focused, outgoing, entrepreneurial, driven and funny.
Ideal Charlotte date: Dinner and a comedy show.
Favorite spots: Plaza Midwood, Vinyl, Tyber Creek and Uchi.
Fun fact: He's been to Japan three times.
Shoot your shot: @neal_mo. One thing to know: "I work a lot :)"
Mary Kate Ryan, 29
Job: Senior account manager.
In a sentence: She relates to the "Sex and the City" woman yelling, "Doesn't anyone like to have FUN anymore?!" right before falling out a window.
Looking for: A man 28-32 who's proactive, driven, considerate, intelligent and, most importantly, funny.
Ideal Charlotte date: Drinks on a rooftop.
Favorite spots: Aura, The Waterman, Catalina, Puerta and Dilworth Tasting Room.
Fun fact: She's a self-proclaimed fantasy geek who loves "Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones."
Shoot your shot: @marykateryan.
Ron Crider, 68
Job: Retired.
In a sentence: Kind, caring, loving and forgiving, with a sense of humor and curiosity for life.
Looking for: A man 50+ who's self-confident, engaging, honest and interested in experiencing new things.
Ideal Charlotte date: Start with drinks at a rooftop bar, head to dinner, then finish the evening at a different rooftop.
Favorite spots: Novelty House, Merchant & Trade, Mint Museum, Coquette, Fin & Fino and Coco and the Director.
Fun fact: He's multilingual.
Shoot your shot: Find him on Facebook.
Aislinn Mayes, 34
Job: Mental health therapist.
In a sentence: "Whimsical sass machine but likes to be in bed by 9:30."
Looking for: A man 30-40 who's emotionally intelligent, communicative, funny, family-oriented and shares her Christian faith without being politically conservative.
Ideal Charlotte date: Something active or creative — a rage room, gaming or another unique experience.
Fun fact: She's been to Antarctica.
Shoot your shot: @aismayes.
Arin Patterson, 36
Job: Senior associate director of the Popp Martin Student Union.
In a sentence: A Georgia Peach with "big dreams, a big smile and an even bigger heart" who loves to laugh, bake and explore new places.
Looking for: A Christian man 28-47 who's kind, intelligent and generous — and wants to be a husband and father.
Ideal Charlotte date: Sumaq Coffee followed by hours of conversation and laughing "until we can't breathe."
Favorite spots: Optimist Hall, Amélie's, Kulture in NoDa and Little Sugar Creek Greenway.
Fun fact: She loves to roller skate.
Shoot your shot: @arinpatterson.
Brandon Hank, 34
Job: Brand manager.
In a sentence: Equally likely to be diving for a volleyball at VBGB, coaching an adaptive fitness class, or hosting friends for a meal that took way too long to prepare.
Looking for: A woman 26-34 who's warm, kind and active — and enjoys discovering new places as much as a quiet night in.
Ideal Charlotte date: Sushi at Yama, followed by putt-putt at Puttery.
Favorite spots: Blue Door, Idlewild, Orosoko, Whitewater Center, Yama and Calle Sol.
Fun fact: He spent his childhood working through a stutter in speech therapy. Today, he loves public speaking and deep conversations.
Shoot your shot: @bhank92.
Rose Burach, 30
Job: Marketing associate.
In a sentence: Organized chaos — spontaneous and sentimental.
Looking for: A man 30-40 who's confident, adventurous, emotionally intelligent, funny and ambitious without being consumed by work.
Ideal Charlotte date: Something spontaneous and adventurous. "I'm so bored with dinner and drinks."
Favorite spots: Thomas Street, JackBeagle's, Hideaway and "most dive bars."
Shoot your shot: @roseebur.
Mark Frietch, 53
Job: Craft cocktail bartender.
In a sentence: An outgoing former professional who loves making people laugh.
Looking for: A woman — less concerned about age than chemistry — who enjoys sports, live music, and both nights out and cozy nights in.
Ideal Charlotte date: Start somewhere quiet with a good atmosphere for drinks and conversation, then find some live music if the night is going well.
Favorite spots: Blue Door and Vinyl.
Fun fact: He appeared in the most recent "Naked Gun" movie.
Shoot your shot: @mark.frietch.
Trinity Hood, 22
Job: Artist.
In a sentence: "Probably could hold a conversation with a brick wall."
Looking for: Any gender, ages 22-26 — ideally a "secret nerd."
Ideal Charlotte date: Try new cocktails and let her switch with you if she hates hers.
Favorite spots: Maman, Pretty in VTG and Hideaway.
Fun fact: She's well-read and minored in Russian literature studies.
Shoot your shot: @trinityy.mp3.
All headshots courtesy of each participant.