💖 When Love Doesn’t Look Like the Movies

"Not every love story begins with a person — sometimes it begins with a city we come to cherish.” 💖 

❤️ Love, Actually — Moments to Cherish

🎤 Toastmaster for the Evening: Irene Suwarno

The evening’s theme, Love, Actually, celebrated the real, unscripted moments of love — not the cinematic kind, but the kind that’s sometimes sweet, sometimes awkward, sometimes funny — occasionally a little expensive, yet always memorable.

Irene opened with a personal story from a first date in Fremont’s Niles District — one that began with a 15-minute delay and a shoe with a half-peeled sole. 👞 What could have been awkward instead felt unexpectedly light. Rather than perfection, it was the attitude that made the moment memorable.

That spirit carried into the evening’s interactive element, where everyone received an anonymous slip with the question:

“What’s something about love that surprised you?” 📝

Responses were shared by the Toastmaster between prepared speeches, giving the room a mix of sweet, funny, and thoughtful reflections that kept the room engaged.

🎤 Prepared Speeches

Jay Yamamoto — “Chances” (2-Minute Special)

Jay reflected on the idea of taking chances — not reckless risks, but what he called “asymmetrical risks,” where the potential upside outweighs the downside. He shared a story from his time studying abroad in Spain, where he hesitated to act on a budding romance — only to later discover the feeling was mutual.

His message was simple: sometimes the biggest regret isn’t failure, but not trying at all. Whether in love, life, or stepping into a new Toastmasters role, growth often begins with the courage to take a chance.

🏆 Helen Fream — “Love in the Time of COVID”

In her speech, Helen Fream revealed that the great love of her life was not a person, but San Francisco. What began as a work trip slowly became a deep attachment to a city that felt like home. Through grief, relocation, and the uncertainty of the pandemic, her relationship with the city was tested but never broken.

In the end, Helen showed us that love can evolve, endure, and be chosen again — and that sometimes, what we cherish most is the place that shapes who we become.

“Dearest San Francisco. Thank you.” 💌 

Michelle Wen — “My Husband #0”

Michelle shared a humorous and heartfelt story about a former retail colleague she affectionately called “my husband number zero.” What began as a playful workplace joke — modeling jewelry, teasing each other about three daily Frappuccinos, and walking home together — grew into a genuine bond built on trust, laughter, and quiet companionship.

But as she reflected, not every meaningful relationship is meant to last forever. When their chapter ended unexpectedly, there was no drama — just a beautiful period placed exactly where it belonged. Sometimes, the most romantic stories are the ones that end at the right time.

Harris Levin — “When More Isn’t More”

Harris shared a thoughtful reflection on failure, ambition, and the pressure to “do more.” After setting detailed life goals and trying to brute-force success — from extreme fitness routines to questionable biohacking experiments — he found himself exhausted and frustrated.

What shifted his perspective was realizing that growth doesn’t always come from pushing harder, but from changing strategy. By easing self-imposed pressure and rethinking his approach, he began seeing progress in ways he hadn’t expected. Sometimes, less really is more.

💬 Table Topics: Love, Unscripted

Led by our energetic Table Topics Master, Juan Basulto, this segment brought a playful Valentine’s twist to impromptu speaking.

With a playful “Truth or Dare” style twist, participants chose between answering a question or completing a sentence starter — all within the classic 1–2 minute Table Topics time frame.

The prompts sparked humor, honesty, and heartfelt reflection:

• Overrated romantic gestures? One member questioned the sky-high price of diamond engagement rings, reflecting on expectations versus meaning.

• “Love is patient and kind… except when?” Answers ranged from hangry partners to hilariously illogical romantic moments.

• If Cupid 💘 hit the wrong target? Celebrity crushes met reality checks.

• If your ex wrote a Yelp review about you? Brutal honesty met five-star self-confidence.

• Love life as a movie title? Rom-com vibes and a “blast” kind of love.

• Most dramatic act for love? Moving across the country — more than once!

• Petty breakup reasons? Budget spreadsheets and financial transparency proved surprisingly romantic.

• Ideal Valentine’s Day? Brownies, nature walks, and romantic movies.

• Fastest way to the heart? Culture, creativity, good taste — and San Francisco museums like the de Young Museum and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

When given the prompt, “I once thought it was love, but…,” Katie began with humor — admitting that at 12 years old, she didn’t yet have the fully formed frontal lobe required for true romance. What followed was a touching contrast: her grandparents, who met at 12 and spent summers biking miles just to see each other. In just two minutes, infatuation turned into a multigenerational love story — thoughtful, witty, and deeply heartfelt.

The session perfectly balanced laughter and vulnerability. Members thought on their feet, and guests stepped up bravely,  and everyone was reminded that love — much like Table Topics — can be spontaneous, surprising, and deeply revealing.

🎯 Evaluations

Katie McCann on Helen Fream

Katie noted that evaluating Helen is difficult only because her speeches are already so polished. She highlighted the vivid storytelling and emotional depth, suggesting slightly stronger projection and fewer glances at notes as minor refinements to an already outstanding performance.

🏆️ Blair Vorsatz on Michelle Wen

Blair praised Michelle’s vivid storytelling and memorable characters, noting how effectively she wrapped a clear message inside humor and engaging scenes. He encouraged her to tighten callbacks for sharper wit, clarify the takeaway for the audience, and share more of her emotional journey to deepen impact. Thoughtful and structured, his feedback both affirmed and elevated the speech.

Amadeo Mazzara on Harris Levin

Amadeo praised Harris’s clear structure, steady presence, and subtle humor, while encouraging more vocal variety, movement, and pauses to elevate the emotional impact.

Sheila Vida — General Evaluator

Sheila commended Irene’s thoughtful planning behind the themed meeting — from the interactive slips to the detailed coordination that brought the evening together. She also praised Juan’s engaging approach to Table Topics, noting the strong participation from both members and guests. As a gentle reminder, she encouraged the room to bring more energy and responsiveness in future meetings.

🏆 Celebrating the Night’s Standouts

🎤 Best Prepared Speech: Helen Fream

📝 Best Evaluator: Blair Vorsatz

🗣️ Best Table Topics: Katie McCann

 🎉 Congratulations to our standouts — and to every voice that made the night one to cherish.

💭 From Our Guests

A guest praised the venue and overall production value, calling it one of the best-run Toastmasters meetings he had attended.

A question about approaching Table Topics sparked helpful discussion. Members shared practical advice: go with the first thought that comes to mind, focus on speaking rather than perfection, and remember that the goal is simply to show up and respond. As several members noted, Table Topics prepares us for real-life moments when we’re asked to think on our feet.

For those looking to sharpen their impromptu skills, last week’s newsletter included practical tips on thinking and speaking on the spot. 

💘 Thank You

A huge shout-out 👏 to everyone who made our Valentine’s meeting so fun, warm, and memorable! Special thanks to Sheila for supporting me along the way and serving as our General Evaluator, Juan for leading Table Topics, and Gautam for helping make the Valentine’s activity seamless. And of course, thanks to our amazing speakers: Jay, Helen, Michelle, and Harris.

Thanks also to our speech evaluators: Katie, Blair, Amadeo, all the functionaries: Helen, Becca, Vedant, Frankie, and every member and guest who joined, participated, and shared their thoughts — including everyone who answered our anonymous question, “What’s something about love that surprised you?”

“We truly love being part of this Golden Gate Toastmasters community — and it’s all of you who make it so special. 💖

📣 What’s Next at GGTM

🐎 Lunar New Year — Year of the Fire Horse

Join us as we mark the Year of the Fire Horse at our upcoming meeting, with a short themed introduction from the Toastmaster and a festive Table Topics session inspired by the Fire Horse.
Wear a splash of red for luck and prosperity — a lucky surprise awaits one festive participant.
📅 When: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST
📍 Where: San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, 235 Montgomery St 7th floor, San Francisco, CA 94104

🎤 Area Speech Contest — March 22

We’re excited to host the Area Speech Contest on Saturday, March 22!
To support a smooth and professional event, we’re seeking:

• Voting Judges (Level 2+ completed, not competing at this level)

• Timers

• Ballot Counters

🕐 Briefing: 1:15 PM (in person preferred)

If you’re interested in serving, please complete the survey or connect with Michelle Wen, Area Contest Chair.

♥️ Crafting an Evening of Love: A Toastmaster's Reflection

When I chose the theme Love, Actually, I hoped it would feel warm and lighthearted. I didn’t expect how much heart it would bring into the room.

A themed meeting sounds simple… until you’re the one making sure the transitions, timing, and tiny details all align. From the Word of the Day to the anonymous reflections, I found myself carefully planning each flow — hoping the experience would feel seamless for everyone else.

Before we began, I felt that familiar mix of excitement and quiet pressure. With members and guests in the room, I wanted everything to feel welcoming and smooth. In moments like that, being Toastmaster can feel a little like stepping into new shoes — you hope they fit, and you hope you don’t trip.

What surprised me most was how naturally the evening unfolded and how openly everyone shared. From personal speeches to anonymous reflections, love showed up in many forms — sweet, awkward, wise, and yes… occasionally expensive.

What moved me was the courage it takes to speak about something as personal as love — and beyond that, the courage simply to stand up and share, whatever the topic, in front of a room that includes strangers.

I appreciated every member who fulfilled their role and every guest who chose to spend their evening with us. A meeting may have an agenda, but it’s people who give it heart.

As Toastmaster, I was reminded that leadership isn’t about being the star of the show. It’s about setting the tone, holding the space, and trusting the team. When everyone brings their best — even with imperfect shoes — something special happens.

Thank you all for making our Valentine’s Theme meeting feel warm, joyful, and and truly special. This is what makes Golden Gate Toastmasters such a community to cherish.

One could say, “You complete me 😅” — but really, it’s the presence, participation, and generosity of everyone in the room that makes evenings like this feel complete. 💖

💕 Love Beyond the Lectern

Questions? Feedback? Email us at [email protected] — we'd love to hear from you!