testimonials

testimonials ✩

hear from our members

See how Throwback Dating transformed connections into success stories.

STEVE

Man in a suit smiling and gesturing during a social gathering in a decorated indoor space.

"Thank you for all your hard work and efforts, for us many people who benefited. Sunday's Slow Dance Dating event was memorable, and in so many ways. Truly a unique location. Hosts were superb, as well as food and drink.

Your organization of the interactions was so great and well thought out. I had personally never done anything like this. I was having good interactions and finding that time had run out. So very interesting to observe how we all got to this place in time. Everyone has a significant story.”

CAROLINE

People socializing inside a stylish, dimly lit bar or restaurant with elegant décor, large window, and modern lighting fixture.

“I had a wonderful time yesterday. It was a great experience and I felt more like myself than I have in a long time. Everyone was wonderful as was the venue.”

JUSTIN

A couple sitting at a table during a dinner party, laughing and engaging in conversation, with five people in the background socializing and holding drinks in an outdoor setting with string lights overhead.

“After spending a significant amount of time navigating online dating, I often found myself feeling uncertain, confused, and frustrated… with far too much time wasted.

That’s when I decided to attend a Throwback Dating event at the Shedd Aquarium (August 2025).

Upon arriving I spent ten minutes having conversations with guests, and it didn’t take long for me to catch the eye of a particular woman who was truly alluring. I immediately sat next to her, and for the next half hour we had an incredible conversation… the kind of connection you simply can’t get through online messaging or even a phone call.

It was a truly organic, in-person meeting, just like the old days - where you can look someone in the eyes and really get a sense of who they are.

Thirty dates later (yes, 30!), I’m happy to say we’re having a blast together.

What a great way to cap off the year! Thank you Megan and Throwback Dating.”

URSULA

A man and woman are sitting at an outdoor dinner table, smiling and looking at each other. The table has two glasses of white wine, a lit candle, and a plate of food. They are enjoying a romantic moment outdoors during the evening.

“I’m a 55-year-old, self-employed woman in Chicago who was looking for a serious connection, and I was thrilled to discover Throwback Dating, created by Megan.

Through the opportunities Megan creates, I met someone who is serious, handsome, fun, and a true gentleman. I was looking for a high-quality human being… someone empathetic, caring, generous, and fun… and Megan was able to connect me with exactly the right person.

Her thoughtfully hosted events bring together incredible people and create genuine, meaningful connections. I’m so grateful for this experience.”

EDEN

A happy older couple holding hands and smiling while walking in a European-style town square with cobblestone streets, outdoor cafes, and historic buildings in the background.

“To me, Megan Wessels is an angel. She has a true gift for connecting great, high-quality people.

I was skeptical at first, but after she interviewed me, she connected me with an incredible gentleman… someone with the very qualities I had been praying for. Through that connection, I found my second chance at love.

Megan brings a modern, intentional approach to organic dating, and I’m deeply grateful for the way she helped change my life.”

ROB

A man and a woman walking along a waterfront promenade in a city, both holding coffee cups and smiling at each other, with tall skyscrapers in the background.

“Throwback Dating truly changed the course of my life.

The Throwback community helped me find myself again. Through the experience, I was able to open up to possibilities I didn’t even know existed, and I found a connection with a very special person I never would have met any other way.

I’m incredibly grateful for this community and for the way it helped me step into a new chapter of my life.”

kate

A middle-aged man and woman walk hand in hand down a cobblestone street, smiling at each other. The man is dressed in a suit and white shirt, and the woman wears a large sunhat and a patterned dress. In the background, a musician is playing guitar, and there are outdoor dining tables.

“Rob and I met at the very first Throwback Dating event either of us attended in February 2025... a small, curated charity poker night hosted in someone’s home. From the very beginning, it felt different from dating apps. In one evening, I had real conversations and meaningful connections with more people than I ever did through months of swiping. I remember thinking, I may not have met my match tonight, but I’ve met some interesting people I could genuinely see myself being friends with.

I had been married for 20 years and took several years after my divorce before dating again. When I finally tried the apps, I stayed on them for about a year - open to meeting someone, but never feeling like the process truly reflected who I was. When I met Megan and heard her vision for Throwback Dating, it felt like a relief: a way to meet people as whole humans, not dating profiles.

When I first met Rob, I felt a curiosity that made me want to get to know him better. When we finally went out a month later, I felt a strong connection that felt worth exploring. At the time, he wasn’t even looking to date... he came to his first Throwback Dating event hoping to make new friends during a difficult chapter of life. Ultimately, we spent three to four months simply spending time together as friends before ever calling anything a “date.”

That lack of pressure created space for trust, comfort, and safety to grow. We both carried past pain and understandable hesitation, but I believe the key to our success has been how the relationship has unfolded slowly and organically. We have a ton of fun together, we laugh a lot, there is a strong mutual attraction and we bring real joy to each other’s lives, and that feels amazing. It feels like a gift.”

RYAN

Ryan shares his experience at a Singles Mixer at Ambassador Chicago, where he had a great time meeting new people.

A woman with brown hair and a man with glasses, wearing a purple jacket, posing together indoors in front of a wall of black-and-white photos.

"You show up alone but you feel like you're not alone. Everyone is so laid back that you can talk to whomever you want. It was my first singles event in my life so I felt awkward at first, but had a great time."

amanda

Amanda shares her experience at Throwback Dating events and offers tips for those who feel uncomfortable in social settings.

"Whether or not you first chat with a female or a male, everybody’s just really open and interested in what anybody else has to say."

“Megan does a great job of making sure that everything is balanced so that people feel comfortable.”

"I’d love it if more guys could just feel comfortable coming and engaging in a social gathering—it may lead them to someone, or it may not. But if they never open that door, they’ll never know."

Gina

Gina shares her experience at a Chicago Throwback Dating event, where she connected with high-quality singles.

“Megan Wessels has a knack for connecting people—it’s just part of her genius. It was a great night, met wonderful people, I got a date with that gentleman and also a date with another gentleman.”

Phil

Phil reflects on the Pasta Making Class, where he made pasta and met amazing singles.

“It was a wonderful event. I met tons of great people, men and women, and also had a great time, were very well-organized, even inspired me to make pasta on my own later.”

ROB

Rob shares his experience at the Poker Night for Charity in Wilmette.

Group of eleven people, smiling, gathered indoors for a photo, with a staircase, picture, and flag in the background.

“Thanks for arranging that Megan. It was way less pressurized than I thought. Everyone was so relaxed and chill it was easy to simply have fun. Everyone was very nice.“

HENRY

Henry shares his experience at the 80's Night with Sixteen Candles Band at House of Blues.

Four friends smiling and taking a selfie in a lively bar or nightclub with colorful lighting and vibrant decorations, including a tribal mask on the wall behind them.

“Megan! Thank you again! Had a great time! Sixteen Candles was awesome! We had so much fun on the floor with that flood of people jumping, screaming, laughing and dancing! Thanks again for the invite. The whole night was such a success! Thank you!”