December 01, 2016

Last July, after a Sunday service at her Newport Beach, Ca., church, Leslie was on the church patio greeting visitors who had attended the service. She had done this often in the 36 years she had been the choir director and often organist of the church.

One of the guests was Bob, a handsome man standing by himself. During their conversation, Bob surprised Leslie when he told her he had seen her at the Calexico Airport (on the US/Mexican border) over 20 years before and had been attracted to her then. He had recognized her from the church he sometimes visited. At first, Leslie told him she'd never been at that airport.

Then, she remembered. Leslie said, "I had been there with my husband, who was doing dental work in Baja in conjunction with the Flying Samaritans, and we had stopped at that airport for customs. Bob said he had just watched me from the other side of the small airport. He had been there on assignment with the Marine Corps Reserves.

December 01, 2016

This article was published in 2008. Updates for 2016 are noted in the text.

Many older singles have given up using the Internet as a mate-finding tool, saying it's too impersonal, too dangerous, or they just haven't had any success using it. And yet, enough mature adults have found their partners online that the use of the Internet for meeting someone should not be dismissed altogether.

Clyde (not his true name), 66, has been a customer at my Dana Point, California, deli (Tutor and Spunky's Deli) for more than 15 years. During that timeframe, he and I have had many conversations about the frustrations of being single after age 50. Clyde has been divorced for 20 years, dated often, but had not found the right woman for him.

December 01, 2016

Linda, early 50s, grew up in the San Fernando Valley, north of Los Angeles. In 1996, she moved to San Clemente (population 30,000) in southern Orange County, which is located half way between Los Angeles and San Diego.

She had never married. It wasn't that she didn't want to meet a nice partner, it just hadn't worked out that way for her. To enhance her chances of meeting someone--after all, San Clemente was a fairly small city—she turned to Internet dating—a site called American Singles. She realized a long-distance relationship might be the result of Internet dating. 

What she found surprised her.

 
Bob had lived in San Clemente since 1976, where he'd been a Bank of America branch manager for several years. He was about as far away from his hometown of Van Buren, Maine, as one can get. Van Buren is close to the Canadian border.

December 01, 2016

Four years ago, I was contacted by Louise in Texas who requested a one-hour personal consultation with me over the telephone. Because Louise had been burnt by "two scoundrels," she was having trouble trusting men. She is a bright, down-to-earth person who teaches and does research at the University level. At her position in the university ranks, she wasn't meeting any men of her culture. She is of Asian decent and was looking for an Asian man.

I told her to be patient, that someone would come along and suggested ways for her to expand her reach by socializing and networking more, including subscribing to this newsletter for ideas, which she did.

As I do with most of the people I've consulted with, I try to stay in touch. Not often, but I like to know how they are doing in their lives. This week I emailed Louise. She responded with an update.

September 18, 2016

Senior compatibility can come in strange packages. Perhaps with someone who has a similar background or interest, attend the same high school, shares a love of opera, travel, growing orchids or gardening. And it may be the Internet that brings a couple together.

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When I first heard Jane’s story, I thought it was going to be one of those I-can’t-find-any- decent-men-to-date tales women share from all areas of the country.

August 26, 2016

Nothing pleases me more than to hear from older singles that they’ve met someone. Many meet online. Seniors meet in unexpected places such as at the vet or in stores. In today’s newsletter, we even hear of two women who met men after relocating to new areas of the country.

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Today’s stories are proof that having a positive attitude and a zest for life can pay off in more than an enriched life. You just may stumble across a mate also. Take note, these women are from all over the USA and most felt they'd never meet someone.

August 26, 2016

In the 22 years I have been writing newspaper articles and newsletters, and making appearances regarding finding love after 50, I occasionally have wondered if I have been of any benefit to older singles.

An email this week from a Champ rekindled that thought. She wrote: "Between all the members you have for this group and the get-togethers you had at the deli (Tutor and Spunky's Deli in Dana Point, California, which I sold January 30, 2015) - did anyone actually meet a mate or become a couple? Just wondering?"

July 24, 2003

It's the time of year for reunions – one of the prime places for older singles to find romance. Here’s proof:

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After graduating from Lakewood High School in Long Beach in 1962, Cheryl got married. She attended her 10-year high school reunion but didn't attend another reunion until the 40th last September.

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"I had been divorced for many years and went under duress with a fellow graduate and her husband," said Cheryl, who has three children and seven grandchildren. At the reunion, Cheryl saw a man named Guy walk in.