Parties As Portals
A 6-week social experiment for thoughtful singles who want to meet people the human way again.
Potlucks. Field trips. Honest conversations. A small group learning to date with curiosity instead of pressure.
Modern dating often asks us to make big decisions about people we barely know.
Parties as Portals takes a different approach.
Instead of trying to engineer perfect matches, we focus on something more powerful: bringing a small group of thoughtful humans together and creating the conditions for real connection to unfold over time.
Over six weeks, participants gather for a series of dinners, field trips, conversations, and playful social experiments designed to help people actually get to know each other. Some connections will be romantic. Many will be friendships. All of them expand your world.
Across six weeks, something special happens. Strangers become familiar.
Conversations deepen. Unexpected connections emerge.
Some people find romantic sparks.
Others leave with new friendships, activity partners, and a wider circle of people who make their lives richer.
The goal isn’t just to meet someone.
It’s to expand the ecosystem of connection in your life.
That’s the portal.
for people who:
are curious + kind
want to expand their social world
will try their best to show up
enjoy thoughtful conversation, playful activities, and meeting people outside their usual circles
not be the right fit if:
you’re looking for a matchmaking service or guaranteed romantic outcomes
you don’t enjoy group environments
you’re really busy
you’re not open to meeting people with different backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives
parties as portals works best when participants come in with curiosity over judgment
leave with
new friends
momentum
discernment
portraits
an experience
“The living room instantly felt like a safe space. People had the courage to share their experiences and listen to each other.
I started seeing my past relationships with a kind of clarity I hadn’t had before.
The group bonded quickly, and it was lovely to attend events with new friends.
Now I’m thinking again about the possibility of romantic love — and realizing how much I want that in my life.”
— Michael
“I didn’t expect to make friends like I did. I’m so thankful to have met so many amazing people in the same phase of life.”
“Being around other singles helped me practice identifying what I need and want. I have way less shame about being single now.”
“I went from feeling like I was hanging out with strangers to hanging out with friends. Super lovely.”
“In modern life we spend so much time on devices. I appreciated the opportunity to meet people in person and actually get to know them.”
“I’m used to things escalating quickly. I loved that this slowed it down.”
Dating like an anthropologist means gathering data instead of rushing conclusions. practicing curiosity. observe. move slowly.
kind people
are our kind of people….
Kind
Open
Adventurous
Growth-oriented and willing to participate
This work is especially powerful if you:
• Overthink dating
• Tend to overgive or attach quickly
• Feel tired of the apps but still believe love is possible
• Want both community and romantic possibility
$1,250
includes:
1:1 with rachel
mini portrait session
4 parties in a private residence
8-day dating reset
intentionally intimate, small group experience
Meet Your Hosts
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Ryan — Host & Resident Vibe Curator
Ryan brings a thoughtful. energy and an eye for beauty that makes everything feel better.
We gather in his beautiful home, where conversation flows, and his dog Clifford is abundant with his love.
When he’s not traveling for work or heading out on a new adventure, you’ll likely find him tending to his ever-growing collection of plants or hosting friends.
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Rachel Joy Barehl, FOUNDER
Rachel Joy Barehl is a dating doula, superconnector, photographer, and anthropologist of modern dating—known locally as the Columbus Matchmaker.
For over a decade she has documented love in its many forms—weddings, families, friendships. That work led her to create spaces where people don’t just look for love, but learn how to experience connection differently.
Her approach blends structure with intuition—bringing thoughtful people into the same room, guiding meaningful conversations, and trusting what can unfold when the right conditions are created.
“The world needs more low and low pressure places to meet up, hang out, and see what blooms. I believe what Rachel is building is radical.”
-Lori, dating Rachel’s client Mike for 8 months
Parties as Portals
AN IMMERSIVE SPACE FOR DATERS AND AUTHENTIC RELATERS.
We’re a soft landing for daters.
A place for big-hearted, curious humans who are putting real effort into love.
Here, the brave, tender parts of you get practice.
Not perfection — reps.
Sometimes we’re a pit crew.
Sometimes a co-pilot.
Sometimes a well-timed wingwoman.
Always, we’re in it with you.
We practice connection differently —
through real conversations, shared rooms, and honest reflection.
Together, we’re prototyping a new relational culture:
one built on curiosity, courage, and kindness.
Because love was never meant to be navigated alone.
If you feel it, you’re in the right place.
You’re in good company.