Dating after divorce… in my 60s!

I recently decided to bite the bullet. After eight years of being on my own, I signed up to a dating website and opened myself up for business (metaphorically speaking).

My husband and I were married for 40 years before we decided to call it quits. We hadn’t been happy for years and with the kids all grown up and moved out we decided it was time to part ways.

Although I was ready for it to happen, it still took me years to get used to being on my own. The first few years were tough; I felt angry, lonely and defeated most of the time, but eventually those feelings disappeared and I was happy on my own.

I had routine and rhythm, an active social life and work to keep me busy. Now that I’m partially retired though and down to part-time work, I’ve found myself with a lot more spare time on my hands and so I got to thinking: what about love?

Was there love out there for me in my 60s? Did I want it or even need it? And were there any decent men out there anyway?

My daughters brought up the subject of me dating a few months ago, and since they had been bugging me about it for years, I told them to go ahead and sign me up to a dating website.

It wasn’t long before I got a message from a nice man who said it sounded like we had a lot in common and would I like to meet. I had butterflies in my stomach instantly and went through all sorts of emotions in the space of a minute.

Excitement! Fear! Denial (surely he was just a scammer)! Hope! Doubt!

Once I got my act together, I decided to go for it. We agreed to meet at a coffee shop near the city the following week.

I tell you, driving to that coffee shop was one of the most nerve-racking things I’ve done in years. I had spent the good part of an hour trying to decide what to wear and hadn’t been able to eat anything since breakfast as my stomach was in knots.

Once I got there and we started chatting I felt great though. We spoke for a couple of hours about our lives, our kids, and our interests. He was lovely and I was enjoying being made to feel special in that way for the first time in years.

I don’t know if he’s the next great love of my life, but just getting out there again felt so good. We parted ways with a hug and have been in touch over text a few times since.

We’re meeting up again next week, but this time for dinner so who knows, maybe the night will end with a kiss this time! My first kiss in my sixties – what a thought!

If this small experience into the world of dating has taught me anything it’s that biting the bullet is definitely worth it – even if it’s just for the free coffee!

Have you gone on a date in your sixties or after divorce? Would you start dating again?