Kindred Turns 6 Months Old: A Night of Community, Connection, and Celebration at Sandahl Cellars

As we celebrate our six month "monthversary," I can't help but reflect on how far we've come in such a short time.

Our very first Kindred event at Crawford's Social welcomed just 22 people. The weather was cold and windy, and we were all still trying to figure out what Kindred would become. Fast forward six months, and we've grown into a thriving community of singles over 50, and every one of you has helped make that possible.

Last night at Sandahl Cellars, it truly felt like more than just another mixer. It felt like a gathering of friends. Over the past six months, I have personally developed meaningful friendships within this group, and I hope many of you have as well. Watching connections form, friendships grow, and seeing familiar faces return month after month has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Today, Kindred hosts six mixers each month across four different locations. Next month, we'll expand to eight events per month. Our goal is simple: give our members more opportunities to meet like minded singles in neighboring cities, broaden their social circles, and perhaps discover something even more meaningful. 😉

And we're just getting started.

Over the next two months, we'll be launching Kindred Select, our personalized one on one matching service, as well as the Kindred Podcast. I can't wait to invite some of you to be guest stars and share your Kindred stories and experiences with our growing community.

A Special Evening at Sandahl Cellars

Sandahl Cellars was the perfect setting for our celebration. The Sandahl team has done an incredible job creating a beautiful tasting room, and we had the entire venue to ourselves, making it a truly private and intimate experience.

We also introduced live music to the Kindred experience, and our talented Jacqui Hylton delivered a wonderful performance. If you enjoyed her music, or missed it this time, be sure to join us for our Manhattan Beach launch on June 20th, where she'll be performing again. Check out our Events page for details.

While we had a slightly smaller crowd than some of our recent events, with approximately 38 members in attendance, it honestly felt like the perfect number. Large enough to offer a great mix of people and conversations, yet intimate enough for everyone to comfortably get to know one another.

In fact, we loved the venue so much that we're already planning a Trivia Night at Sandahl Cellars this August. Cassie, our amazing Event Manager, is already hard at work bringing it all together.

And for those who keep asking, the women to men ratio last night was a very favorable 2 to 1!

Celebrating Our Members

As we reflect on the past six months, we'd also like to recognize some of our most dedicated members.

A special shoutout goes to Larry B., who holds the distinction of attending more Kindred events than anyone else! Close behind are Paul J. and Raphael N., whose consistent participation and support have helped shape the welcoming community we enjoy today.

We truly couldn't have done this without all of you. Your enthusiasm, encouragement, and willingness to show up month after month are what have allowed Kindred to grow from a simple idea into a thriving community of singles over 50.

The evening didn't end when the mixer wrapped up. A few of us continued the fun at Crawford's, and one of the highlights of the night was unexpectedly running into one of our members, Matt G. We had the opportunity to spend some time with him and his lovely friend, and it was one of those moments that reminded us why Kindred is so special.

The fact that we are now running into fellow Kindred members outside our mixers and genuinely enjoying each other's company shows that we are building something much bigger than a dating group. We are creating a true singles community. Friendships are forming, connections are deepening, and members are becoming part of each other's lives beyond our events.

That sense of belonging is exactly what we hoped Kindred would become, and seeing it happen in real life is incredibly rewarding.

The Courage to Show Up

One of the things that continues to inspire me after every event is seeing members walk through the door on their own. It takes courage to step outside your comfort zone, attend an event where you may not know anyone, and be open to making new connections.

I applaud each and every one of you who takes that step.

In a world where meeting other singles can feel increasingly difficult, Kindred exists to make those introductions easier and to create a welcoming environment where genuine connections can flourish. Whether you're looking for friendship, companionship, romance, or simply a great conversation, you belong here.

Of course, we missed those of you who couldn't make it last night and hope to see you soon, especially at our upcoming Sagebrush event!

Thank You

As I drove home last night, I felt incredibly grateful.

Thank you for trusting Kindred with your journey. Thank you for showing up, being open, welcoming new members, and helping create the positive, supportive culture that makes this community so special.

What started as a windy evening with 22 hopeful singles has become a vibrant community of friends, connections, and possibilities.

On behalf of the entire Kindred team, thank you for being part of this journey. It is truly an honor to help bring people together.

Here's to the next six months and all the friendships, connections, and memories still to come.

Cristina U.

Kindred Social