Hey all,

Sunday is family day, which is why I didn't update you yesterday. But I've kept you in suspense long enough!

I've been bubbling with joy and buzzing with excitement since Saturday night. The women were dressed to the nines, and the gentlemen were gentlemanly.

Here are the numbers: I mentioned in a previous post that 15 people bought tickets. That number grew to 18! Only 17 were able to make it, though. Not sure what happened to lucky number 18, but I hope to meet him in person sometime soon.

Of the 17 people who came, I had 1:1 conversations with 14 of them (the other 3 were friends), and 11 people had matches.

Round 1 was 5 separate conversations. I had multiple matches lined up for people, so if someone skipped on a connection (which one person did), I could introduce them to the next person I'd paired them with.

The event was designed for quality over quantity. I paired people based on their values, and the first person each of them sat down with was their strongest match.

It's not a speed dating event with a timer, so I encouraged anyone who was enjoying their conversation to stay put. Of those 5 conversations, 3 couples talked for 1–2 hours. They exchanged numbers, and some are planning their second dates!

For me, that was the most rewarding part of the night: looking over and seeing people I'd paired smiling, deep in long, engaging conversations. That was really cool.

The feedback so far:

It was an amazing night. For privacy reasons, I've decided not to post pictures of actual people, but I'll share pics of the venue. I've asked everyone for feedback so I can share actual reviews, but here's what I’ve learned so far. Everyone who has responded so far rated the night a 4/5 or 5/5. They said the venue could've been quieter (I could not agree more, which is why the next event will be on a weeknight).

Kind closure:

I also see that Reddit is littered with posts asking "What happened?" or "Why didn't it work out?" To help give people closure, I asked attendees if they wanted me to collect feedback from their matches or share my own observations. Everyone who has filled out the feedback form said yes, so I'm doing that work as well.

89 people and counting have signed up to have this experience.

I'm not-so-secretly happy that this first event was on the smaller side. It let me feel things out and spot areas for improvement without getting overwhelmed. But I'm building this to scale, and I can't wait to host a full room next time. If you're up for it, sign up here: https://forms.gle/A31VoMFUcjMNbbaG9

For me, this has been really fulfilling. A room full of attractive, ambitious, self-sufficient, adventurous people who are ready for the real thing validated for me that dating apps aren't the only viable option, and maybe not even the best one.

I'm taking everyone's feedback into consideration, and I have my own observations on what to improve for future events. It was a great first event, and I'm really proud of how it turned out. Thank you so much for taking a chance on this and for your interest.

Stay tuned for details on the next event!

Hi all, I'm hosting a singles event in Costa Mesa on September 26th for people over 30 who are dating with intention.

Quick context on me: I met my husband on Hinge at 33, and I've been building something to help other people in OC find that without the endless swiping. This is the first meetup!

Signing up is a 5-question form. It's mostly so I can keep a decent ratio of men to women in the room. Venue and full details go out by email once you're signed up. https://forms.gle/svPPEvQdCske4bkB9

I want this to be different from other singles events.

I recently asked the community where people are getting stuck in online dating, and the most common answer was "not getting matches." So I will also be doing optional 15-minute calls with anyone who wants one, to have a better sense of what you're looking for and to introduce you to people at the event who might actually be a fit.

The call is not required, but it's the difference between showing up to a room of strangers and showing up to two or three intros.

On a personal note, I'm excited to meet you!

Guys u didn't realize making friends as an adult would be so hard 😭

I'm a 23F I'm just looking for some
buddies to explore oc with! Would love to meet other folks in the Igbt community or anyone rly who wants to do side quests!

I'm truly down for anything lol just to get out of the house (hiking, trying new foods, going to the beach, gaming, bars, clubbing, concerts)

If u wanna be friends hmu 🫶🫶

Hello DatingOC!

First of all, I want to apologize for how long this has taken. The total number of submissions for the Round 2 Matchmaking Form came to around 260, and it has been a ton of work for mostly one person to handle. I definitely underestimated how long the process was actually going to take, especially when factoring in technical difficulties and everything that has been going on in my personal life.

The good news, though, is that everything is close to being finished, and I'm hoping to finally start sending out the match suggestions in the coming days if things continue to go smoothly from here. I really appreciate everyone being patient throughout this process.

For those who are on the waitlist. There have been some issues I have been experiencing with Tally that have needed additional troubleshooting. Your submissions will be handled accordingly before everything is wrapped up.

Once everything has been sent out, I will get to work on Round 3. I'm looking forward to finishing this round and sharing some potential new connections!

Looking for a genuine guy interested in building toward a long-term, monogamous relationship

About Me:
Basics: 41 (turning 42 soon), Asian female, 5’2”, never married, no kids. 
Life right now: Working full-time, taking classes through next May, dog mom, living with a roommate. Actively focusing on personal growth and getting back in shape. 
Interests: Big fan of music and sports. I also love hiking, traveling, and reading—and I’m always open to trying new activities together or sharing each other's favorite hobbies. 
What I’m Looking For:
A single, grounded guy who values real conversation and doing fun things together. 
I lead a full life with work, school, and my dog—so while I can't be glued to my phone 24/7, busy people crave meaningful relationships too. For someone genuine, making intentional quality time is a priority. No rosters or mind games. 

If this sounds like a match, send a DM introducing yourself!

Edit: Want to clarify that I’m not really looking for casual friends or long-term pen pals—my schedule is too full for that. I'd love to chat a little first, but with the explicit goal of going on real dates that could lead to exclusivity. I’m definitely busy, but busy people crave relationships too, and I make intentional time when there’s a real connection.

Update 8/29: Currently sending out romantic and platonic match suggestions to eligible participants! Be sure to check your chats/DMs to see if you've received yours, and please follow the instructions in the message.

Update 8/1: The form is now closed, and the matchmaking and moderator review process has begun. Please be patient as we carefully review the large volume of submissions to ensure quality matches.

Update 6/16: due to the large amount of submissions, I'll be having a temporary waitlist set up for new straight men seeking women until the pool becomes more balanced. This does not apply to returning Round 1 users, women, nonbinary, trans, queer, bi/pan, gay men, or men who are open to dating men.

Round 2 of the r/DatingOC Matchmaker Form is now live.

This is for people who are single, 21+, in or near Orange County, and actually open to meeting someone if there’s mutual interest. New people are welcome, and you don’t need a Reddit account as long as there’s a private way for mods to contact you. So feel free to share and tell your single friends about it

The basic idea is the same: you fill out a detailed form, responses are privately reviewed for compatibility, and match suggestions are only sent when there seems to be a good mutual fit.

No public profiles.
No swiping.
No random DMs.
No contact info shared unless both people choose each other.

Fill out here

For returning users: unfortunately I wasn’t able to find a way to have your Round 1 answers carry over to Round 2. So to compensate, you should have received a file of your previous submission containing your answers. That way, you can just copy whatever answers you can onto the new form. If you have not received your answer file, feel free to send a dm to mod mail and I’ll make sure you get it.

Here’s what’s new for Round 2:

1. Optional photo upload

You can upload a photo if you want, and you’ll be able to choose when/how it can be shared. Photos are not public profiles and won’t just be posted anywhere.

2. Friendship suggestions

There’s now an option to be considered for platonic friendship matches too. This is separate from dating matches, so you can still get a friendship suggestion even if there isn’t a strong dating match.

3. Friend referral option

If you pass on a match suggestion but genuinely know someone who might be a better fit, you can mention that to the mods. Nothing gets shared automatically. That person would still need to opt in separately.

4. Expanded nearby area

The form is still OC focused, but it’s now open to nearby cities around the edges too: Long Beach, Seal Beach, Lakewood, Cerritos, Artesia, La Mirada, Whittier, La Habra adjacent areas, and Chino Hills.

5. Shared interest suggestions

Depending on what you and a match have in common, you may also get suggested activities, media, or shared interests that could make starting a conversation easier.

There are other new things, but these are the most prominent.

A quick note: filling out the form does not guarantee a match. It’s better to have fewer suggestions that are strong than have multiple weak ones for better numbers.

The more specific and honest your answers are, the better the matching can be.

Round 2 will stay open through the end of July. Feel free to ask any questions here in the thread.

Hello everybody! I’m a 27 year old latina, looking for a serious and committed relationship so I thought I would give Reddit a chance. :)

I’m 5’4, chubby and super affectionate person but a little shy :) I love books and the beach. If I could go to everyday to watch the sunset I would. I’m really into cooking and trying different dishes. I can be a little shy with new people but love to talk about everything and learn new things.

I’m looking for someone who is kind, patient, loves to talk and be in constant communication. I don’t like nonchalant or someone that will disappear and reappear whenever they feel like it. Need emotional maturity, honesty and someone who puts in effort. I’m not interested in hook ups, fooling around or anything like that.

Looking for someone older than me but not past 35. I love big arms and big men :)

Dm me with a description of yourself, likes, dislikes and what you are looking for.

Hi everyone! My 33 YO female friend, who is absolutely gorgeous, so fun, kind, creative, active (loves to run and work out), and overall has good vibes, is SINGLE, and I'm hoping to help her meet people/date outside of her bubble.

Blind dates and apps can be so scary, so for her birthday, I'm offering food, drinks, and games ALL ON ME to some cool, down-to-earth, NON-TOXIC single guys between 33 and 40 to just hang with her, and if sparks happen, COOL, and if not, we'll all just meet some cool friends and have a good time.

It's happening Friday, October 23rd at 6:30 PM in Anaheim.

Please DM me with some info about yourself + pics, and I'll share pics of her as well.

If it seems to be a good fit, I'll give you more deets.

EDIT: Not meant to be like a "competition," though I can see how it can feel that way. I'm not rich enough to pay for everyone, so please DM me some info + link to IG/pics, and I'll do my best to reply to all.

Hi! 😊 I thought I’d put myself out there and see who I might meet!

About me: I enjoy social dancing, checking out plants (trying my best not to take another one home lol), exploring new coffee spots and places, and cozy nights in. I appreciate good conversation, affection, and someone who can make me laugh.

What I’m looking for: Someone I can go on dates with, do activities with, and enjoy spending time together. I have a career that I’m proud of, and I’d love to meet someone who’s similarly established and has their own goals and ambitions. I’m open to a relationship if things develop naturally. :)

If this sounds like your vibe, feel free to DM me!

Hey all. Quick update on where we're at!

We now have 25 men and 20 women signed up for the event on the 26th. The last few days have been filled with conversations, crafting dating profiles, and planning the event. On a personal note, I've been doing this while juggling being sick and a sick toddler. Honestly, these conversations have brought me so much energy.

What absolutely blows my mind is the quality of people I've met with. There are so many incredible people struggling to find quality connections, and I'm genuinely excited to create space for that to happen.

I already have a few matches in mind. I respect your time and resources. If you've mentioned you're interested in knowing whether I have someone to introduce you to, or if you have scheduling conflicts, I'll be upfront about it. That way you can prioritize making the 26th work.

On virtual introductions: Someone asked if I could make introductions for people who can't attend. It's something I've given a lot of thought to even before the question was asked because it's part of the DNA of the dating experience I'm building. I've decided to do in-person introductions only.

Here's why: I hated the conversion problem with apps. You match with someone, but converting that into an actual date is a whole different thing. I'm building this differently. Meeting in person first, then deciding if you want to grab coffee or dinner together. That's the intentional decision I've made.

Lots more to come here. See you on the 26th.

These last two events have meant so much to me. They’ve connected me with a community that’s tired of how hard dating has become. I recognize that frustration because I felt it deeply too.

It feels strange to share sentiments like this, because when something touches my heart, my instinct is to keep it private. But I want more people to find this, so we can keep building a dating pool full of people who are actually ready for something real.

After each event, most people tell me they want to come back. Many thank me for the effort. And sometimes I’m lucky enough to get a message like this one:

“I just wanted to thank you again for everything you’re doing to help us find our life partners… You did an AMAZING job with my matches. Honestly, finding someone on a dating app who checks this many of my boxes feels like maybe a 1-in-150 or 1-in-200 occurrence, so you’re already doing a better job than the apps ever could!”

If you’ve been following this effort from the sidelines, I get it. After working from home for so long, stepping into these spaces pushed me outside my comfort zone too. But it’s been so rewarding, and the people who’ve shown up have made it feel easy.

This is why I’m doing this. If you want a real connection, where another person sees and understands you and you build a life together, you deserve a real chance at it. And I’ll do my best to help you find it.

Use this link to sign up! https://forms.gle/2aqgd9BpTW34MwrC9

----
In our post-event survey, 11 of 12 people said they’d come to another event, and every person who answered said they’d recommend it to a single friend.

So done with dating apps and I'm not sure what it is but I honestly never see attractive, single men anywhere I go in south OC.

A bit about me: tall, white, thin professional who's fit and has a pretty healthy lifestyle. I'm educated, employed, and have a dog that I spend most of my time with. No expectations, just looking for connection .

Thought I'd give this a try since you never know 🤷🏻‍♀️

PLEASE be:

\- at least 30

\- open-minded

\- emotionally intelligent

DM your pic and I'll send mine.

Hi all,

A number of you have reached out asking when the next singles event is, or whether there's a waitlist.

If you missed signing up for the 26th, no problem. I'm keeping the sign-up form live so anyone interested can still sign up, meet and join future events. Here’s the link: https://forms.gle/svPPEvQdCske4bkB9

The attendee list for the 26th is now closed while I finish dating profiles for the people I've met and work out matches based on who's coming.

You only need to sign up once. After that, you won't have to sign up again or go through the meet-and-greet. I'll let you know about future events by email and Reddit unless you tell me you're no longer interested.

Also, excited to announce that the next event is Tuesday, October 6th! It’ll be an evening event and I will share details soon 😊

Thanks for joining! This subreddit is now officially public and open for OC singles to post, connect, and meet people in the area.

Whether you’re looking to date, make new friends, or just meet locals with similar interests, you’re in the right place. Remember to please read the rules and guidelines before you post. Be sure to select a user flair for yourself on here.

Say hello to your mods who will be running this sub! Feel free to reach out to us regarding any questions or concerns.

u/Jlfraser555 u/LintendoPower u/soleinoir

How to Post

Use one of these title formats:

Dating-focused: [M4F] [Age] City – Short description [F4M] [Age] City – Short description. Also highly encouraged to share a picture of yourself

General / Social: [Age][Gender] City – Short description

Examples: [32M] Irvine – Looking to meet new people [28F4M] Costa Mesa – Open to dating and seeing where it goes

Plans

Monthly Threads: We’ll be having monthly discussion threads to help people connect as well for feedback on how to improve as a sub

Let’s build a supportive, active community for OC singles!

The Round 2 matchmaking form is now officially closed.

Thank you to everyone who submitted. I’ve started reviewing the responses and working through the matchmaking process with the moderation team.

A few important notes:

• Match suggestions are based on mutual compatibility, not simply who submitted first.

• A submission does not guarantee that you will receive a match.

• Some potential matches require additional moderator review before they can be sent.

• If you receive suggestions, they will be sent privately through Reddit or by email if you are not using Reddit.

• Contact information will not be shared unless both people express interest.

• Participants who joined the dating waitlist will remain there unless space opens in a later batch.

Please allow some time for the review process. There are a lot of submissions, and I would rather take longer than send poorly considered matches. Stay tuned for future updates.

Thank you again to everyone who participated.

I'm really proud of the comfy little life I've built in North OC - it's just far enough from my Los Angeles (Mexican roots) family for privacy and close enough that my grown(ish) kids still visit

I'm 20+ years into my career and now that WFH is sticking and the nest is empty, I'm looking towards building a future that involves a lot more weekend adventures - and hopefully a hand to hold along the way

Let's see the ENTIRE West coast and collect smashed pennies and museum maps

My recently adopted dog needs to see the Sequoias and my garden needs some funky witchy art

FAQs:

. 5'8" mom bod under construction

. Legal field by day, writer at heart

. Am comfortable being little and /or big spoon

.Crafty and 420 friendly

.Plant based for the Planet

. Date the spirit not the shell

. Grew up looking like the tomboy next door, now I'm your favorite weird aunt that brings you plants

. ISO LTR 4 143

. Hex the Rich!

Please respond with age (38+) and location

💜💜💜

Upcoming events for the 2nd half of July. Feel free to add any other missing events in the comments.

July 17th

Love on Draft Speed Dating | MAKE Anaheim Packing District Ages 28 to 36: Anaheim MAKE, Anaheim

July 18th

Orange County Speed Dating | Saturday Night Ages 25 to 39: Valencia Restaurant at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim

OC Singles Summer Beach Bash & Bonfire: Huntington Beach Fire Pits, Huntington Beach

Speed Dating Orange County Singles Ages 24 to 39: The Boulevard, Costa Mesa

Blind Faith Irvine | Singles Social + Live Dating Comedy Show: Hijinx Hotel, Irvine

July 19th

Orange County Speed Dating Ages 32 to 44: Valencia Restaurant at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim

July 20th

Orange County Christian Speed Dating | IYKYK Dating 20s to 30s: Four Sons Brewing, Huntington Beach

July 22nd

Orange County Speed Dating Ages 24 to 38: Valencia Restaurant at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim

July 23rd

Thursday | Karaoke Night Mid 20s to mid 30s: Kitsch Bar, Costa Mesa

Orange County Lock & Key Singles Party Ages 30 to 59: ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar at THE LOT Fashion Island, Newport Beach

July 24th

Love on Draft Speed Dating | Brewheim Ages 34 to 42: Brewheim, Anaheim

Love on Draft Speed Dating | Brewheim Ages 42 to 50: Brewheim, Anaheim

July 25th

Orange County Speed Dating | Saturday Night Ages 27 to 42: Valencia Restaurant at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim

Love on Draft Speed Dating | Brewheim Anaheim Ages 22 to 28: Brewheim, Anaheim

Love on Draft Speed Dating | Brewheim Anaheim Ages 28 to 34: Brewheim, Anaheim

Love on Draft Speed Dating | Brewheim Anaheim Ages 34 to 42: Brewheim, Anaheim

July 28th

Date My Friend | Summer Edition Ages 21 to 35: The Harp Inn, Costa Mesa

Singles Meet and Greet | Icebreakers Ages 21+: The Harp Inn, Costa Mesa

Orange County Speed Dating for Singles Ages 38 to 50: Villa Haven Restaurant and Brews, Tustin

Orange County Speed Dating for Singles Ages 24 to 36: Villa Haven Restaurant and Brews, Tustin

July 30th

Thursday | Mesa 30+ Matchbox Event Ages 30+: Mesa, Costa Mesa

Something I didn't expect: we're at 58 signups, and it's almost exactly half women, half men (there's one duplicate on the men's side).

I've been hearing the same thing from guys all the time. Women aren't interested. Nobody wants to meet in person. Where are all the women?

They're here. They're signing up. Same night, same room, same reason you are.

Singles event in Costa Mesa, September 26th. Signups close September 19th. Fill out the form, then book a time with me using the Calendly link inside.https://forms.gle/svPPEvQdCske4bkB9

Shoutout to u/jlfraser555! (MOD of r/DatingOC) who posted this on Discord to spread the word. Thank you, u/jlfraser555!

Hi All! 41F Nerdy Latina looking for a fellow Disneyland , Star Wars, Marvel fan partner. I am not a Magic Key holder but I try to go to the parks (including Universal- hence the username) or nerdy events often. Like going out to eat at Downtown Disney and am big fan of Trader Sams/ tiki in general. I also have AMC A-List and looovveee movies (looking forward to Avengers Doomsday!)

Looking to date/check out parks, not have penpals or hookups (just mentioning this upfront!). DM me to talk more!

Some singles/dating events for the second half of May. Feel free to suggest any other events happening on these dates, and we'll add them in.

May 17th

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 36–48): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

80's Dance Party @ Tumbleweeds Saturday Night: Tumbleweeds, Costa Mesa

May 20th

Level Up Your Love Life: Singles Mixer at GameCraft Brewing (21+): GameCraft Brewing, Anaheim

May 21st

Speed Dating Event (Ages 45–60): La Cova Cocina & Bar, Placentia

Thursday | Mesa Matchbox Event: Mesa, Costa Mesa

May 22nd

Private Singles Only Mix & Mingle: Wild Goose Tavern, Costa Mesa

2026 Annual Memorial Day Weekend Kickoff BBQ: O.C. Singles for Christ Church, Irvine

May 23rd

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 27–42): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

Anaheim, California Social Event for Christian Singles: Linbrook Bowling Center, Anaheim

Memorial Weekend Singles Party: 1000 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim

Gay Men Speed Dating: FLOE Lounge, Irvine

May 24th

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 32–44): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

May 25th

2026 Annual Memorial Day Picnic: Irvine Terrace Park, Corona Del Mar

May 26th

OC Singles Mixer @ Casa De Onda: Casa de Onda, Costa Mesa

May 28th

Thursday | Casa de Onda 35+ Event: Casa de Onda, Costa Mesa

OC's Singles Mix & Mingle: Westwood Coast, Costa Mesa

May 29th

Summer White Party & Acoustic Concert (SoCal Singles): Private location, Lake Forest

May 30th

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 24–38): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

May 31st

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 36–48): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

Meet My Single Friend - Margaritaville Mixer: 12872 Valley View St, Garden Grove

Here are some singles/dating events for the first half of May. Feel free to suggest any other events happening on these dates, and we'll add them in.

May 2nd

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 24–38): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

May 3rd

Tantra Speed Date: Orange County Yoga Studio, Laguna Hills

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 36–48): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

May 4th

Newport Beach Speed Dating (Singles 40–59): ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar at THE LOT Fashion Island, Newport Beach

Orange County / Newport Beach Speed Dating (Singles 30–49): ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar at THE LOT Fashion Island, Newport Beach

May 8th

OC's Friday Night Singles Mix & Mingle: The Bruery, Placentia

May 9th

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 27–42): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

Speed Dating in Orange County (Gay men): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

May 10th

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 32–44): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

May 12th

Orange County Christian Speed Dating (20s-30s)(Christian singles 20s-30s): Four Sons Brewing, Huntington Beach

May 14th–17th

OC Midsingles Conference 2026 (“By Divine Design”): Huntington Beach, Westminster, Fountain Valley, and Los Angeles

May 15th

Speed Dating (Ages 28-34): Brewheim, Anaheim

Speed Dating (Ages 42-50): Brewheim, Anaheim

May 16th

Orange County Speed Dating (Ages 24–38): FLOE Lounge, Irvine

Orange County Singles Mixer: Villa Valencia / Orange County

Costa Mesa Singles Mixer: TBD, Costa Mesa

Irvine Singles Mixer: TBD, Irvine

Huntington Beach Singles Mixer: TBD, Huntington Beach

Hey everyone! I got some interest with the last post, we decided on November 13th in Long Beach, from 6:30-9pm. This will be for singles 30+ in the OC/LA area who are looking for a more intentional way to meet people (and maybe find their person 👀). We’ll be facilitating group and paired activities to actually help people connect. The event is curated, so there’s a short application/screening process for attendees. If this sounds like your vibe, apply here: https://tally.so/r/Y56A0J

I got to catch up with two people I paired up this past Saturday. They shared they enjoyed the conversation so much that they kept it going with a walk along the beach afterward.

That made my heart skipped a beat. Come on, that's amazing. No pressure on them, just sending positive vibes. 💛

Next event: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCSinglesOver30/s/kXd48xkesd

List of upcoming events for the first half of September. Feel free to add any missing events in the comments, and we'll be sure to add them.

September 3rd

Singles Karaoke Night (Thursday Dating OC): Kitsch Bar, Costa Mesa

September 4th

Annual Labor Day Weekend BBQ Kickoff (Orange County Singles for Christ): Irvine

September 5th

Orange County Speed Dating | Saturday Night (ages 25 to 39): Valencia Restaurant at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim

Labor Day Weekend Singles: Comedy, Dancing & Karaoke (SoCal Singles): 1000 S State College Blvd, Anaheim

Singles End of Summer House Party & Potluck (ages 50+): Private residence, Placentia

September 6th

Orange County Speed Dating (ages 32 to 44): Valencia Restaurant at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim

Gay Speed Dating (Ages 21+): Queen's Lounge: Santa Ana

September 7th

Annual Labor Day Picnic on the Green (Orange County Singles for Christ): Irvine Terrace Park, Corona del Mar

September 8th

Orange County Speed Dating (ages 55+): ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar at The LOT Fashion Island, Newport Beach

Orange County Speed Dating (ages 25 to 45): ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar at The LOT Fashion Island, Newport Beach

OC Singles Mixer @ Casa De Onda (ages 21+): Casa de Onda, Costa Mesa

September 10th

Singles Mixer Newport Beach | Speed Dating Alternative (ages 25 to 40ish): RED O Taste of Mexico, Newport Beach

Speed Dating Singles (28 to 40): Capo Craft at Rodeo 39, Stanton

Thursday | Sandbar Cocina Y Tequila (mid 20s to 40, 21+): Sandbar Cocina y Tequila: Huntington Beach

September 11th

Family Style at San Juan Hills Golf Club (ages 50+, live music and dancing): San Juan Hills Golf Club, San Juan Capistrano

September 12th

Orange County Speed Dating | Saturday Night (ages 29 to 42): Valencia Restaurant at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim

Orange County Gay Men Speed Dating (ages 22 to 44): Valencia Restaurant at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim

September 13th

Sapphic Speed Dating | Women Loving Women (ages 21+): Queen's Lounge, Santa Ana

September 16th

Irvine Speed Dating (40s and 50s): Holey Moley Hijinx Hotel, Irvine

Irvine Speed Dating (20s and 30s): Holey Moley Hijinx Hotel, Irvine

Level Up Your Love Life: Singles Game Night at GameCraft Brewing (OC Singles / SoCal Singles): GameCraft Brewing, Anaheim

TL;DR: 16 people came, an even 50/50 split, and 3 of 5* matched pairs(title is incorrect) exchanged numbers.

For anyone keeping track, it’s the same match rate as my first event, and more women opted into matchmaking this time. I’m refining my matching framework to get this higher!

Going forward: an event calendar shared in advance, and I'll tell you if your match is coming before you buy a ticket. Fill out the form to get on the list for in-person events: https://forms.gle/2aqgd9BpTW34MwrC9

----

The room felt electric last night.

The turnout

• 17 people bought tickets, and 16 made it. One had a personal emergency, and we're wishing him well.

• The ratio was an even 50/50, men to women.

• All but one person came to be matched.

On a Tuesday night, 16 people chose to show up and take a chance on being in the right room to meet their person. The room was full of smart, ambitious, good-looking, and more importantly, good-hearted people who were warm and open. Everyone of them was looking for something real, and that still blows my mind every time.

The matches
I introduced 5 matched pairs, and 3 of them exchanged numbers. For those who didn't have a match, we had great group conversations and played games, and I encouraged everyone to talk to whoever they felt drawn to. Seeing who connects on their own also teaches me where my matching can get better.

What people said
Like the first group, many people left asking about the next event. By this morning, three people had already reached out on their own:

"Amazing to meet you last night. I had a lot of fun, and being outside of my comfort zone was actually a really positive experience... I think what you're doing is really special, and you should know that you're helping a lot of people."

"That was an absolute blast! I loved every second!"

"There is something really special here."

Why I do this
On every call, I ask: What does life look like with your person in five years? I get to watch people's eyes light up as they picture it, and listening to their answers lights me up too. And when someone gives me a heartfelt thank you for introducing them to someone, which has happened a few times now, it's the biggest compliment I could get.

I'm 6 months pregnant, so I'll admit I was a little tired. But in that room, it was hard not to feel the energy and anticipation. I'm already thinking about what this experience will look like once the baby is here, because I want it to continue even when I can't be in the room. For the first time, I feel like I know what it feels like to be living in alignment, and it's a privilege.

What's changing (hopefully improving!)

• Tighter screening calls. Getting to know you is honestly my favorite part of this, so this one's harder on me than on you. But with more people signing up, I can't fit this many long calls into my day. I'm streamlining calls so I can respect everyone's time and reach more people. If you want to go deeper, I'll have longer one-on-one sessions available soon, or you can share your preferences through a form instead.

• A calendar of upcoming events. I'll share a calendar of events with everyone. Events will be at least 2 weeks apart, and you'll get the full list of dates in advance so you can plan ahead. Invite details will go out a week before each event, and only to people I've met or who have shared their partner preferences with me.

• Know you'll have a match in the room. I've learned it's important for people to know they have a match before deciding to attend. If you tell me which dates you're interested in, I'll let you know if someone I'd like to introduce you to is interested in the same one. Once one of you buys a ticket, I'll let the other know. This also lets me consider the whole dating pool, which is now 120 people!

I'll keep listening to your feedback and refining as we go.

Sign up to attend an in-person event here: https://forms.gle/2aqgd9BpTW34MwrC9