Issue 7: Old School Love ❤️
It’s the season of love, let’s experience it the old-school way 😉
Hey Stranger!
In honor of love month, we continue with our theme of Creative Love, where we encourage out-of-the-box ways to express our unique love language.
In this issue, we connected with the leading ladies of Hello Stranger, Guam’s first matchmaking and dating company. We believe in the power of two’s and are thrilled to share the story of how these two local gals are creating opportunities for singles to meet, connect, and spark a lil’ chemistry👩🏻🔬
So, we’re taking it back to the basics before swiping, ghosting, (and now orbiting) became a thing. Bringing back that old school love the old-fashioned way – being matchmade by a friend 😉
Cheers to making meaningful connections 🥂
XO,
WW Team
What is Love?
In the book, A Road Less Traveled, author and psychiatrist Dr. M. Scott Peck explores the importance of having a higher level of self-understanding and the nature of love which he defines as a choice.
“It’s all about the connection, not the hook-up” - Hello Stranger
Started by local gals and professionals, Geri Diaz and Nadine (Charlie) Untalan were inspired to start a matchmaking and dating company after going through their share of ups and downs in dating. In 2021, Hello Stranger was born with the motto, “Connect · Communicate · Chemistry - Your solution to your dating dilemmas.”
G: We have many single friends, and we realized that there was no real place for them to meet other singles. Guam is too small! So we created Hello Stranger to meet that demand. When asked where singles meet, one of our clients said, “I don’t know.” That response solidified our purpose of creating a safe space for people to connect with others, learn how to date, and not be in a rush to settle down so quickly.
Hello Stranger is meant to be light and cheeky, like “Heyyyy Stranger!” We want to be the solution for singles – we have to be very sensitive and mindful of what a client is looking for and support them through their journey.
WW: How are HS dating services different from modern dating apps like Tinder?
HS: It’s all about “trust” and “our integrity.”
“You can’t buy chemistry – you either feel it or you don’t, and by in-person meetings, you will know.” - Charlie Untalan, Hello Stranger
Our goal is for our clients to meet in person and have face-to-face conversations because we feel that that’s the best way to get to know a person to determine if there’s a mutual interest in one another.
❤️ Sneak Peek of “On the 6” ❤️
Every 6th of every month, six singles will meet in a private room of a local restaurant or bar. The intent is to have stimulating conversations while sharing a meal and drinks together – breaking bread.
G: We’ll provide conversational cards to help jump start the conversation, but in our last event, our clients were all able to successfully hold the conversation that the cards weren’t needed, which is great!
We set ground rules, some of which include not being allowed to ask others for their phone number or set personal dates. This relieves the pressure and allows our clients to be themselves and have fun.
Then, a few days later, we will contact each client to gain insight into their experience.
If they’re interested in meeting up with someone who caught their attention at the event, we will arrange a one-on-one date if permission is given.
💌 Join the Fun!
Message Hello Stranger on Facebook or Instagram to register for events and to invite them to your wedding 😉
Weekend Reads 📚
The Type of Love That Makes People Happiest - The Atlantic. We’ve heard that love is friendship on fire ❤️🔥 and this might be the most important predictor of long romantic partnerships.
Layers of Love We Don’t Talk About - Vocal, a piece inspired by the pandemic beautifully written by our very own local writer, Akina Marie Chargualaf.
The Best Romantic Love Letters Ever Written - Glamour. Letters written by Ernest Hemingway to Marlene Dietrich and Oscar Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas.
Volim te. Jag älskar dig. Ich liebe dich. Can you guess what we’re saying?
Still thinking of how to surprise your Valentine? How about breakfast in bed? 🥞
Your Week to Weekend Weather
Events
🐶 February 11: Paws in the Park Pet Adoption hosted by Guahan Paws for Pets
Time: 1 PM -5 PM
Details: Get your pet microchipped ($10) and licensed ($5) during the event. A current rabies certificate or tag for the license is required. Pamper your pets with healing massages and treats, get pet-related merchandise, and watch demonstrations by animal control officers.
🛍️ February 11-12: Sweethearts Bazaar
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
💕 February 12: Pop-Up Shop
Time: 10 AM to 6 PM
🇬🇺 February 17-18: Maga’Låhi Gådao Gupot CHamoru Festival in Inalåhan
📍Inalåhan Baseball Field
Time: 6 PM-10 PM (Friday) and 12 PM-10 PM (Saturday)
Got an event you want us to feature? Let us know the dets here.
With Love ❤️ See you next issue!
Don’t be a stranger 😉 Drop us a line on our IG.
This newsletter is made with lots of love and a ridiculous amount of coffee. You can support us by sharing our newsletter with your homies and/or by showing some love on Buy Me a Coffee ☕️