H4M Matchmakers Help LGBTQ+ Singles Date With Confidence During COVID

The Short Version: As if it weren’t already hard enough to find love these days, the 2020 pandemic has brought on a whole new level of complexities. Falling in love during COVID-19 may be challenging, but matchmaking expert and H4M owner Tammy Shaklee says it’s not impossible. Through her extensive experience, Tammy and the H4M team have discovered new ways to support LGBTQ+ singles who are dating with confidence and looking for their true love during the pandemic.

It’s been almost two years since COVID-19 became widespread in the U.S. and transformed everyone’s lives. H4M matchmaker Tammy Shaklee said she has learned a lot about how to help singles cope with the new normal.

Founded in 2012, H4M is a matchmaking company that has paired thousands of LGBTQ+ singles from all over the world. She told us the pressure singles feel now to find their significant other has drastically risen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Tammy’s clients, new challenges have surfaced such as coming up with new and interesting ways to virtually date and setting realistic expectations while dating during COVID. 

Modern singles have so many more things to consider when dating. For example, daters need to find a safe spot to meet and decide how to abide by safety health guidelines. To hug or not to hug? It can get pretty awkward, but communicating your concerns clearly can make it less so.

Tammy said the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some singles to change their attitudes toward dating — and not always for the better. “I worry some people used the time during the pandemic to read way too much into how to find their life partner. Their new attitude about ‘dating with intention’ has unfortunately become ‘dating with intensity,’” she said. 

According to Tammy, singles are becoming more intense with their expectations. Sometimes they create expectations that can’t be reasonably fulfilled. Tammy said she has seen a trend in singles becoming too critical and a bit extreme, which can be intimidating for their dates.But despite everything going on, Tammy still expressed her hope for the future and urged singles not to give up. She told us she has become more tactical in how she works to ensure that her clients’ needs are still met.

Tammy coaches singles with romantic concerns and intense expectations on a daily basis. She encourages her clients to be clear about what they want and how they’re going to make it happen. “Set the boundaries, take the steps to meet them, and just focus on each other,” she said. 

This is the new world we are living in, and when dating singles must be willing to make modifications. Some singles feel skeptical about dating right now, but Tammy urges them to put their best foot forward.  

According to Tammy, trying to date during COVID requires you to be optimistic and open-minded. Having the right attitude essentially produces the best results. It’s just a matter of time and patience. A sprinkle of optimism can certainly go a long way in the dating scene. 

“The most successful singles have an open mind, an open heart, and believe they will meet their person,” she said. 

Trying to have a positive view on dating is challenging during this difficult time. Singles can easily find themselves caught up in the chaos and end up in a slump. Things are different, that is true, but a glimmer of light still remains at the end of the tunnel.

“The most successful singles have an open mind.”

— Tammy Shaklee of H4m

With the help of the H4M team, singles have discovered that by getting creative with their virtual dates, dating during the pandemic can feel almost normal. Tammy advised her clients to set up virtual dates so they can impress a date through a screen if they can’t meet in person. This helps set the mood and allow dating to feel, for at least a couple hours, as if COVID isn’t a contributing factor.  

Mr. or Mrs. Right may seem like a far-off dream, but Tammy will reassure you that they are closer than you think. When going through hard times, singles need to remind themselves that many quality people are out there looking for love too. If you’re feeling lonely, you can find comfort knowing that the H4M experts are there to support you.

An anonymous New York bachelorette shared in a testimonial, “After my date this weekend, and because of H4M, I am convinced there really are good, quality singles out there.” 

Tammy enthusiastically invites new clients to join the matchmaking process and board the love train at H4M. She and her team are ready to use all the tools at their disposal to help LGBTQ+ singles make meaningful connections.

“If you want a special someone in your life, there is no time like the present to continue your search,” Tammy said. “The life you have today is not where it ends.”

She pointed out that many eager and hopeful singles are ready to mingle out there, and you only have to put yourself out there and meet them. The search for true love doesn’t have to stop because the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world. Humans need one another, and that’s why Tammy’s matchmaking business has continued to help people through lockdowns and outbreaks. 

Naturally, we meet new people every day. It may not necessarily be face-to-face contact, but the possibility of meeting new people is still there – kudos to the evolution of the internet!

Tammy said she has learned over the years that when seeking a romantic partner, it’s important to pay attention to the simple things: mutual intimacy, humor, comfort, support, and shared interests. Despite the challenges, Tammy said she still sees reason to be optimistic, and she continues to hope for the best for her clients and the dating scene. 

“I have hope for singles in 2022 and beyond,” she said. “I hope they will now realize what they should be seeking in compatibility. It’s not about the perfect list of attributes. It’s more about who you would enjoy for a long-term life together.”

H4M’s company culture is to “lead with love,” and that’s exactly what its certified matchmakers have accomplished. Tammy has created a safe environment for LGBTQ+ singles to find their perfect match. The inclusive matchmaking process is thorough and designed to introduce compatible singles who are ready for a commitment. 

H4M takes pride in getting to know clients on a personal level and taking the guesswork out of dating. Ultimately, this can makes the process less stressful and more enjoyable for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and queer singles.

“H4M Matchmaking is a really great service for the LGBT community. As a woman in her 50s dating, I found the service to be professional, sophisticated, and tailored to me. I love you guys!” a 52-year-old bachelorette from Massachusetts said. 

After the initial interview, H4M experts take it upon themselves to do an extensive analysis that includes a background check to ensure potential matches have the opportunity to meet comfortably. Tammy shared her belief that every date leads to the right date for her clients. Even though not all matches lead to a happily-ever-after ending, Tammy said there’s beauty knowing that they are heading in the right direction in finding The One. 

“I never regret meeting any of the men H4M introduces me to. All of the men I have met were quality men. And going through the process helped me define what I want in a partner,” a bachelor from Texas said.

The H4M team serves clients from all backgrounds and all ages, and the matchmakers know how to make virtual first dates worthwhile. 

The people in the H4M community do not waste time. H4M has an impressive success rate and continues to pave the way for LGBTQ+ singles to date with confidence. The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for the H4M team, but it certainly hasn’t stopped them from doing what they do best: ushering more love into the world.