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Back when they were undergrads, Calista, Lachelle, Sonia, and Sophie noted a common trend among their (involuntarily) single friends.
They were too afraid to "put themselves out there".
Thinking it a waste to let lonely hearts be, the group of now 24-year-olds, who asked to be identified by their first names, decided to put their wingwoman skills to good use.
How it began
It started with a simple dream: to help their friends, and others like them, expand their social circles.
"Since our high school was all about studying, we have friends who have been single their whole lives. They'd always say, 'Oh, I'll meet someone in uni,' but it never happened."
The group met in uni, where Calista, Lachelle, and Sonia were hallmates in Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Sonia then introduced her twin sister, Sophie, who attended Singapore Management University (SMU).
Speed dating initially came to mind, but that idea was quickly dismissed.
"When it comes to speed dating, people are more focused on scoring — on collecting tele handles — rather than actually finding people they connect with," Sophie said, referring to Telegram usernames, for you non-Gen Zs out there.
As for dating apps, it's all fun and games till you find yourself unloading your life story for the fifth time in the week onto yet another someone just "here for a good time".
via Giphy @parksandrec
Sure, some people are lucky enough to find love online, but the majority end up exhausted with empty back-and-forths, waiting to see who peaces out first.
Sophie quite aptly dubbed it "Tinder fatigue".
"You talk to multiple people and invest so much in building a relationship, only to meet them and realise you don't click in real life. There's something about personality you can't glean from months of virtual conversations."
Zeroing in on these pain points, the girls thought of a way to increase the odds of meaningful connections — by offering more "organic settings" for those of complementary life stages to bond.
They called it Even Up, an initiative they manage as a passion project on top of their full-time jobs.
Valentines mixer
For Valentines Day, the four friends launched Even Up's first event at Bricklane Bar in SMU.
Along with food and drinks, the familiar setting enabled people to let their guards down and mingle.
via Instagram @evenup.sg
Foreseeing certain awkwardness and lulls in conversation, the girls prepared activities that let participants move around and engage different people.
"We kept it really casual. The agenda was just to meet new people and expand your social circle, and connect with who you wouldn't have met without this.
Our activities were also designed to help people go beyond superficial conversations, to move around and change seats, so people could approach those they were interested in without it feeling forced."
According to Lachelle, participants enjoyed themselves so much that by the end of the four hours, many continued to linger and chat with each other.
Upcoming mixer
In case you thought you missed out, Calista, Lachelle, Sonia, and Sophie do have more of such events coming up soon.
On Apr. 29, a "Mars x Venus" themed mixer will be held at Zodiac Bar.
Interested singles can sign up via this form.
Snacks and games are promised, and so are free-flow drinks, which in itself is probably enough for even the most introverted introvert to turn up.
Tickets are priced at S$60.
"What's wrong with wanting to love and be loved?"
Matchmaking aside, the girls of Even Up also spoke about the stigma attached to those who do not meet their romantic partners "organically".
People might have to start rethinking their definition of what "naturally" meeting someone even means, Lachelle remarked.
Accidental meet-cutes make for a nice drama plot, but this, unfortunately, is real life.
"It's like trying to cast your net into the sea, like scouring the ocean for that one little fish you want," added Sophie.
via TikTok @byrenz
According to the four friends, it's simply not practical to hold on to such ideals, more so when one leaves school and begins working.
"Everyone is already attached, engaged or married," Calista said.
That said, there're definitely potential "the ones" waiting out there; you just might need some help finding them in this big big world, which is where Even Up comes in.
Fate may still be in the works for you, but that doesn't mean you can't give it a little nudge now and then.
Top images courtesy of Evenup.sg