For some reason I am perpetually fascinated with dating behavior, and I must not be alone! Perhaps because it took me decades of first dates to finally find the one, I now believe in LOVE! I met my first husband through the Boulder Daily Camera and by letter back in 1992. My second was through Match.com

I even started my own dating service back in 2004 at age 49. I was tired of the Internet nonsense, and wanted to offer the singles in my small city of Loveland (Yes, Loveland!) Colorado an alternative. I spent hours with each client finding out what they were looking for before setting them up with a local single. The only problem was inventory! I attracted so many cool older single women and few cool men, so I set myself up on Match.com as bait to attractive more single men. I thank my lucky stars for that move today, because Mike was the first man I met this way!

I know, most blind dates are extremely stressful. I’ve experienced quite a few in my life. Have you had the pleasure of watching the new TV show “First Dates” yet? This show is set in a restaurant full of couples meeting for the first time live. So interesting to see their initial reactions when they first meet, and disappointing to see how judgmental the younger couples are with each other. Most have a complete judgment made BEFORE they even open their mouths! Running to the restroom to call a friend within minutes of meeting someone seems extremely RUDE to me…

The part of the show I like best is the elder couples. As a general rule they are magnificent with each other and their feelings. They have had a few couples in their 60s and 70s who treat each other well and generally want to get together afterwards for a second date. It shows to me the difference between those who know how to create true connections with caring others and those who wish to play with their phones during a first date.

Mike and I made an amazing connection within minutes of meeting, and spent the next ten hours enjoying each others’ company. Sometimes life surprises you that way, but only if you are willing to take a few risks and have a few less than perfect dates with strangers. In case you have more interest in how I turned my conflicts with love into happily ever after at age 49, please consider reading my book: How to Believe in Love Again: Opening to Forgiveness, Trust, and Your Own Inner Wisdom. 

Let’s work around Amazon (the evil empire!) and make sure authors get paid for their books!           Please contact me directly to order your own signed copies of any of my books!  Cheers, Laura Lee  (email me: MidlifeCrisisQueen@gmail.com)