Valentine’s Day may be a holiday celebrated with roses and chocolates, but at our recent Toastmasters meeting, it took on a whole new meaning. With Sujanth as our charming Toastmaster for the evening, we explored the delightful and sometimes dark sides of love. 

Kicking off the night, Gordon introduced an intriguing twist to our table topics, diving into the shadows of Valentine’s Day. His thought-provoking prompts encouraged members to reflect on the not-so-sweet aspects of love.

Jinan, bravely sharing her fear of bees, recounted a painful encounter with a sting that had the audience both cringing and chuckling. Her heartfelt and humorous delivery won her the title of Best Table Topics Speaker of the night.

The evening took a more serious turn as we welcomed two inspiring TEDx speakers, Ryan and Ged, who delivered prepared speeches that captivated the audience. Ryan’s tale of mentorship was particularly poignant. He spoke about a mentor who initially guided him in door-to-door sales, only to later take $1,500 and cut off all communication. In a twist that showcased the true essence of friendship, Ryan shared how he prioritized reconnecting with his friend over the money lost, reminding us that relationships often matter more than material possessions. His heartfelt message resonated, earning him the title of Best Speaker.

The night, however, didn’t end there; evaluations followed with a love-themed twist. Imke stood out in this segment, providing valuable feedback on Ryan’s speech with such finesse that she was awarded Best Evaluator.As the night wrapped up, it was clear that love, in all its forms—be it romantic, platonic, or even the lessons learned from difficult experiences—was the heartbeat of our gathering. With laughter, inspiration, and a touch of vulnerability, we celebrated the complexities of love, leaving with a sense of connection and warmth.

Here’s to many more evenings of sharing stories, building friendships, and discovering the many facets of love at our Toastmasters Club!