These meetups help women make real, in-person friends.
In a world where digital interactions often replace face-to-face conversations, one woman dared to ask a simple question: “Who wants to be my friend?”
That question, posted on Instagram by Kristyn Morgan, became the seed of something extraordinary—a movement called Reel Friends Meetups, where women gather not just to socialize, but to truly connect.
From Instagram to In-Person: The Birth of a Movement
Kristyn had just moved to Utah and, like many adults, found herself wondering how to make new friends. “I kind of halfway joked on my Instagram, ‘Who wants to be my friend?’” she recalled. To her surprise, the responses came flooding in. Women—some new to the area, others lifelong residents—were all craving the same thing: connection.
On a whim, Kristyn invited them to lunch at a local restaurant. “Over 25 women showed up—strangers,” she said, still in awe. They walked in not knowing each other, but left as friends.
The Courage to Connect
What makes the Reel Friends Meetup so powerful is the vulnerability it requires. “The idea of engaging beyond the screen is sometimes really scary,” Kristyn admitted. But the women who showed up were brave. They stepped out of their comfort zones, proving that courage isn’t just for kids on the playground.
Kristyn shared a memory from her sister, who remembered their mother—a kindergarten teacher—encouraging her to simply walk up to someone and say, “Will you be my friend?” Kristyn did just that, and it worked.
No Agenda, Just Authenticity
Unlike traditional networking events or structured social groups, Reel Friends Meetups are refreshingly simple. “There’s no agenda. It’s just come, show up, eat, laugh, and connect,” Kristyn explained.
The gatherings have included:
- Casual lunches and dinners
- Evening meetups for working women
- A spa day at Ahhhsome Relaxation and Spa
- Events on BYU campus, including Education Week and BYU Women’s Conference
Each event is designed to be inclusive and welcoming, with no pressure—just presence.
Stories That Inspire
The friendships formed through these meetups are more than surface-level. Kristen shared two particularly touching stories:
- Sue, one of the first women to respond to Kristen’s Instagram post, has become a close friend. “She came to the first meetup and has come since. We’ve become really good friends,” Kristyn said. Sue even attended Kristyn’s daughter’s wedding.
- In a serendipitous twist, Kristyn reconnected with her childhood babysitter—someone she hadn’t seen in 45 years. “She saw my post and said, ‘I know you!’” Kristyn laughed. They’ve since rekindled their friendship as adults.
Lessons in Friendship: What Kristyn Has Learned
Through this journey, Kristyn has gathered wisdom that she now shares with others hoping to build real-life connections.
- Be Open to Possibilities
“Any interaction is a chance for connection or a friendship,” Kristyn said. She encouraged women not to dismiss potential friends based on differences in lifestyle, background, or beliefs. “My next-door neighbor and I are completely different on about every level. But we’ve become really good friends.”
- You’re Not Alone in Feeling Alone
Kristyn conducted informal polls on social media and in person. The results were staggering: “Over 70% of women reported that they feel lonely.” Even in affluent communities, loneliness is pervasive. “There aren’t needs, there’s just loneliness,” one friend told her. This aligns with the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 declaration of a “loneliness epidemic.”
- Set Realistic Expectations
Not everyone will find a “bestie,” and that’s okay. Kristyn encouraged women to think of friendship as a tapestry: “We have all these threads of connection… friends at work, at church, in the neighborhood. Together, they create the fullness of friendship.”
- Be Bold, Be Brave
“Women show up nervous, but they always leave glad that they came,” Kristyn said. Taking that first step—whether it’s showing up to a meetup or inviting someone to lunch—can be life-changing.
To join one of Kristyn’s meetups or learn more, you can find her on Instagram @kristynmorgan.
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