I'm going to go ahead and add to the positive dating experience. I went on a date last night from eharmony and just as GiantHockeyFan stated, she was exactly as she presented herself in her profile. The mutual interests we shared over the phone existed in person. While there were some "awkward" silences during the date, they were few and far between, and that's pretty good for a 2 and a 1/2 hour date. When there were those silences, I think we both had the attitude that this will happen on a first date, so really they weren't awkward at all.
I'd have to say the ending of the date was the most awkward part because she may have been offering for me to stay over which I would have loved, but I totally didn't read between the lines and had a potential lost opportunity. That's fine, I messaged her and she said she wants a second date, so another opportunity will present itself. So far I'm interested in her enough to say we may have the potential to go well beyond 2 dates, but it's too premature to tell.
I'm optimistic, and would recommend others to try online dating as well if you have trouble (like I do) and creating more spontaneous opportunities. The fact is, you have control over the experience. I picked the restaurant, I brought the flowers, and initiated contact with a hug, etc. As a man, if you look at dating as kind of a "job interview" but on a more personal level, then I'd say you have a good view of the early stages of dating. As the relationship progresses, you'll get out of the "job interview" stage and she'll come to know you and trust you.
I wish you all the best of luck, and hopefully I've added at least a tiny bit of encouragement.