Tired of dating apps? There are new events for that in Fort Wayne
Ask any group of young single people how they feel about dating apps, and you’re likely to be met with a collective groan. I know this, because it’s exactly the reaction I heard when I walked into the Fairfield last Monday night for my very first speed dating event, and chatted with other attendees about the current slate of dating options offered by companies like Bumble and Hinge. “The apps are terrible.” “The worst.” So that’s how over 100 of us wound up in one of Fort Wayne’s newest venues, ready to meet our soulmates, or at least have drinks and get some good stories.
The event, hosted by the Indianapolis-based company FIND, offered speed dating for hetero adults ages 21 to 45. When we arrived, we had the chance to check in, grab drinks, and meet the other attendees before the speed dating rounds started. In a sea of largely unfamiliar faces, I made some friends, and even recognized someone I had curled with last fall. Many of us were there on our own, just trying to meet other people. Which meant that regardless of how the dating portion of the evening went, we were probably going to leave with at least a few new friends.
All this was organized by the bubbly, happily-married Bo Turner, who started FIND roughly six months ago, because she wanted “a way to support [her] single friends who were sick of the dating apps.” FIND has already hosted numerous events in Indy and Bloomington, with many more on the horizon, including volunteering gatherings, swing dancing, and speed friending.
Before arriving, we were prompted to fill out a quick profile through FIND’s website, which showed our photo and name. We answered a few questions about our dating preferences, but the emphasis was clear: we would be getting to know people in person, rather than on a screen. How refreshing!
After a quick pep talk from Turner, the gong sounded, and we were off to find our matches. I looked at my phone, which showed me the photo and name of the guy I’d be meeting, and our table location. We had 5 or 7 minutes to chat, which flowed easily as we joked about the obscure languages we would attempt to learn, thanks to conversation prompts set out on our tables. This process repeated for another five rounds, before we got a break, during which my newfound friends and I debriefed each other on our respective dates.
After that, another six dates, similar to the first round. Perhaps exhausting for introverts, but I found the genuine connections and conversations energizing after days of primarily computer work. It’s a relief to get out, meet people, share stories, and know we’re all in the same boat, just trying our best to find someone.
FIND has plans for plenty more events in Fort Wayne, including speed dating, single socials, and friend events. Turner is actively training locals to host future gatherings through FIND, and experimenting with different activities and formats to bring people together. “Working with local businesses is our priority,” she adds, noting that FIND aims to “be able to support local in all we do.”
Turner is optimistic about in-person socializing, and perhaps these events can offer an antidote to the feelings of isolation and loneliness that appear to be plaguing our generation. “I hope people feel proud of themselves for being brave, trying something new and putting themselves out there,” she says. “Dating can be scary and vulnerable, so I hope to provide a space where people feel safe and comfortable to date in real life, outside of the apps. I hope you can find yourself, find friends, and ultimately, find love.”
Interested in attending one of FIND’s upcoming events? Check out their website, or follow FIND on Eventbrite.
This blog was written and submitted to The Local by our subscriber, Rachel Horton. Have a blog you want to share? Pitch it to thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com.
