This week we talked about the 4 Stages of Dating (the 4 Ss) and the Relationship Journey. - Scouting: You are expanding your opportunities to meet potential partners. - Sorting: “Who deserves more of my time and attention?” - Screening: You’re now looking beneath attraction and surface compatibility to assess long-term relationship potential. - Testing: Reveals whether the connection can survive outside the honeymoon phase. Healthy relationships tend to move through very specific stages — and most people get stuck because they either rush the process… or skip stages entirely. Here’s the framework I teach: 1️⃣ Stranger This is before you even meet someone. It's about who you’re BEING, how you show up, how open you are, and whether your life actually allows space for connection. This is the stage of:• Visibility• Energy• Mindset• Standards• Openness• Scouting opportunities intentionally. 2️⃣ Curious Prospect You’ve met someone and there’s mutual curiosity. This is NOT the stage to fantasize about the future. It’s the stage for:• Observation• Light exploration• Paying attention• Noticing consistency• Seeing how they show up The goal is not attachment. The goal is information. 3️⃣ Interested Match Now there’s growing interest and emotional investment. This is where you begin:• Screening for compatibility• Discussing values and lifestyle• Looking at emotional maturity• Watching for alignment between words and actions This is where many people ignore red flags because chemistry takes over. 4️⃣ Exclusive Relationship You’ve intentionally chosen to focus on one another. Now the work becomes:• Building trust• Navigating conflict• Emotional safety• Communication• Integration into each other’s lives A lot of people want exclusivity before true compatibility has even been established. 5️⃣ Committed Partnership This is where long-term alignment matters most. Not just love — but:• Shared vision• Emotional resilience• Partnership skills• Mutual effort• The ability to grow together through real life

Hey friends, We now have over 50 people registered for our first-ever Spring Mix & Mingle for singles 50+!! There’s one thing we’re actively working to balance: We’d love a few more men in the room. The quality of this experience comes from the people in it, and we’re curating with care. 🌸 The Community Voted — and This Is What You Asked For This is a curated virtual experience for singles 50+ who are ready to expand their circle — whether that leads to friendship, meaningful connection, or something more. How to Register 1. Click Attend on the Meetup event page 1. Pay via Meetup - PayPal 3. COMPLETE THE ONLINE FORM The Zoom link will be sent 24 hours before the event. What to Expect • Small breakout rooms (2–4 people) • Light structure with guided prompts • Rotations so you meet a variety of people • A post-event match list to continue connections What You’ll Need • Stable internet connection • Desktop or laptop strongly preferred (not phone) • Camera ON (required — this is mandatory) Who This Is For • You’re 50+ • You’re open to meeting new people for dating or friendship • You value meaningful conversation over small talk • You’re willing to show up with presence and intention A quick note: Breakout rooms are assigned randomly to keep things flowing. While we aim for a balanced group, we can’t guarantee a perfect mix in every room. If that’s essential for you, this may not be the right fit — and that’s completely okay. But if you’re ready to show up, engage, and see what unfolds — we’d love to have you. 👉 To register - COMPLETE THE ONLINE FORM. See you soon, Dessi

Last night we held our first virtual social event, and the energy in the "room" was amazing! 40 of you showed up, jumped into breakout rooms, and did something that's surprisingly rare these days — you had real, honest, low-pressure conversations with other people who are in the same boat and who *get it.* Here's what you told me you loved most: 💬 "Everyone seemed so genuine." 💬 "Open and honest discussion among courteous, empathetic individuals." 💬 "It was refreshing to meet virtually and know that all attendees are single." 💬 "Conversations with others going through similar dating issues — not feeling so alone." 💬 "Such a nice, friendly, low-pressure bunch of people." 80% of you said that you would definitely attend again ( 95% if I count the maybes), and 90% of you said you would recommend it to a friend! I consider that a huge win for a first-time event! What struck me reading your feedback was this theme: you came to meet people, and you actually did. Participants were from across the country, all navigating similar landscapes, all showing up vulnerably and authentically. Thank you for keeping an open mind and for tolerating the technical issues - so much great learning from this event that will make the next one that much better! PLUS, most importantly, based on the matching form, I see how much interest there is in deepening the friendships and connections! And yes — we're doing this again. 🙌 Not sure when, but I'll keep you posted! Thank you for showing up, being open, and making this community feel like exactly what it's supposed to be.

SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 7th 6 PM EDT Hey everyone, The community voted for this… so we’re doing it. I’m hosting our first Spring Mix & Mingle (50+) — Virtual Pilot Event, and I want to invite you personally. This isn’t another app. It's not speed dating either. It’s a small, structured experience where you’ll actually talk to people in breakout rooms of 3–4, with guided prompts, and enough rotation to meet a variety of people without it feeling overwhelming. Simple. Human. Real. A few things to know: • Camera on (this matters) • Desktop or laptop preferred • You’ll receive a match list after the event if you want to continue any conversations And because I want to keep this intentional, everyone needs to complete a short application first. 👉APPLY HERE One more thing— There are no guarantees here. Not of chemistry, not of outcomes. But it is a different way to make new connections. Why not try it out? —Dessi

It’s been a busy start to the year! Our latest Dating Re-Entry call was packed with momentum and some very exciting updates. Check out the highlights from our community members this month: - Paul: Moving from App to Real Life. Paul has a first date scheduled for this Sunday! After meeting on Hinge, he did a great job vetting the connection through texting, phone calls, and video chats. They’ve already found they share similar values and a great flirty rapport. - Richard: Building Confidence... Richard successfully completed his second "outing" with a match from Facebook Dating. They attended a beautiful Candlelight Concert in a small church—a cozy, intimate setting that made for a much more relaxed experience than the first date. - Brian: Finding a Real Connection...Brian is celebrating "minor success" that feels pretty major: he’s found a consistent, meaningful connection with a woman he’s confident is the real deal. They’ve discovered they are a "fairly good fit" with shared attributes. - Marlena: Marlena has been a pro at making connections in the real world. From bumping into someone at the boardwalk to meeting a gentleman at a diner, she’s focused on meeting quickly to see if the spark is there. She also discovered Bell Works in NJ—a fantastic new spot for meeting up! - N: Deepening the Connection...N has been exploring two different connections over the last few months. She’s already met one individual four times and is enjoying the comfort and ease they’ve built together. What’s your win this week? Even if it’s just updating your profile or sending that first "Hello," we want to hear about it in the comments! 👇