Never say never. Like others if I was on my own I'd probably decide to stay that way but who knows what fate has in store - if it was my husband on his own I'd want him to find someone else and be happy. The issue is trusting a complete stranger so it would have to be a very long slow romance

Yes, although I'm hoping the need will not arise! I met OH through the Internet 12 years ago and we have now been married for nearly 9 years. After my first marriage failed, I swore I would not repeat the experience but I hadn't anticipated meeting such a lovely man :-)

I didn't respond to this thread because I wrote my story on another one just a couple of weeks ago but as you want some positive stories, I'll risk boring everyone again.

I was married for 25 years, then quite happily single for 5 years. My daughter thought I should expand my life so she wrote me a profile for match.com. I signed up, emailed someone who looked as if he liked the same things as me, we met up for sunday lunch, talked for hours until the pub chucked us out, and we have been a couple now for 11 years. He and I could have crossed paths several times in our previous lives, in fact when I was a young teenager, he was one of the older teenagers who used to mess about with motorbikes across the road from my house.

Anyway he was 57 and I was 53 when we met,and we are still really happy together in our 60s, happier than in our respective marriages. I don't know if he is a gem though, probably more of a rough diamond.

my daughter met her husband on Tindr he is 100% gorgeous, kind and fab - the whole family loves him and he adores my DD, his family is also very kind and welcoming - lets hope it continues!!!

I did try internet dating a few years back but only met a couple of men who I had nothing in common with. I settled into a life of doing my own thing and it can be lonely, but not too bad. I decided that even if I did meet someone I wanted to be with, I could not face the loss again. I don't think anyone could replace my late hubby, he was the best and we shared a lovely twenty five years together.

specki4eyes

Loved your post. How well you describe the average old git!!

No way I love being single!

Second thoughts, better to join 'Friends of' the places I want to visit!

No, too old but I would have done in my 50s, 60s even.
Actually, maybe I would for a concert, theatre, gallery companion. Hmm ...

I forgot to say I'm not hallucinating from the meds (none needed now). We have been together 12 years.

I met my partner on a dating site. He is 13 years younger than me, good looking, highly intelligent and very kind and caring. I'm now an overweight granny who had a hysterectomy 2 weeks ago and he took leave of absence from work to look after me. I'm so lucky!

Yes harrigran people you have some idea about locally or through groups is a much better idea

When my brother died, at the end of June, Funeral July.a few years ago. My sister in law informed me that I should join e-Harmony.She had joined it, that was in October of the same year. I said "I don't think so".

I am single, lonely sometimes,but for her to rush into a new relationship 3 months after a loss really upset me. She has family, children and grandchildren. She said"she could not be on her own. How I have managed I will never know. She lives a long way from me which is just as well. The less I know the better. She was married to my brother for 13 years. Prior to that she had male friends, but none of them would commit. She really twisted my brother's arm for marriage. He was quite happy wining and dining.

So pleased to hear from GrannyRowe and Christinefrance!
Barbara Lorna Hudson

I think Internet dating is extremely risky, we all know that people lie on social media and more than likely do on dating sites too. There have been lots of documentaries made about women being parted from their life savings because of unscrupulous men.
Surely it would be better to stay within your own social circle and get to know friends of friends so that at least someone knows their background.

What a lovely story GrannyRowe, so sorry it ended sadly but as you say lovely memories.

I met my husband via an advert in the paper, it was before Internet dating came on the scene. We have been together for 13 great years now. I think we shouldn't discount any means of meeting people although obviously there are risks.

It's such a personal thing whether or not we want to be with someone. I must admit I would be scared of using the Internet after hearing about so many fraudulent people.

After a thirty year marriage to a moody, emotionally abusive, controlling, man I emerged out the other side a damaged woman who honestly felt no one or nothing would even notice were I to disappear totally. Sadly it was only after I found my freedom, did I realise how horrible it had been, and that I deserved better.
I was lonely, so I joined an Internet dating site, and met a wonderful, truly honourable widower, who, quite simply put me back together again. How showed me love, respect and a future. Sadly he was diagnosed as terminally ill only six months after we met, and we spent the next six years together, making the most of every moment we had. It was not easy helping him fight his disease, but he did it with such dignity that I am no longer afraid to die, because I am convinced we will meet again. I am now alone once more, but have some very cherished memories, and so thankful I found my soulmate.
You never know what the future holds for you, and if that includes finding someone special by these newfangled means then why not!

Enjoy it rubylady. You deserve it ?

Lizzy That's right, I am booked to go to a spa on Friday and when I phoned up this week to confirm booking I was asked by both the spa and reservations if it was only one who was booked. Yes, I said. Maybe it is unusual to go on your own or maybe society has people feeling like they cannot go to places on their own. But I'm past that now, and intend to enjoy every moment next week.

Thanks for all the interesting and moving contributions. But Oh dear! I was hoping more success stories. Perhaps people are shy about telling them? I really do recommend it if you choose a good dating agency, and I know a lot of older people who have met a new spouse of partner this way.
Oh - and my dates certainly gave me inspiration for my novel Timed Out!
Barbara Lorna Hudson

I am sure I would find it difficult to be tied to another male after spending 45 years with my one and only.
If one wants a frinedship maybe one of the dinner dates would be a good idea.

I should have added that i am on an internet dating site and I have to say that I do not even bother to read the profiles of most of the men who I am matched up with.. Just looking at their unkempt appearance on their photos makes me hit the delete button straight away. Ok that is shallow, but what is the point of contacting someone who you know you would not want to get up close and personal with because they dont bother to try and look appealing?
A case in point - a guy contacted me: he had long unkempt grey hair and beard, a beer belly, he was posing beside his hideous motor bike, with a fag in his hand and he said he was separated. "Fancy a chat?" he wrote. "No thank you" I replied, you smoke, you are married and you are a hairy biker who needs to diet". "Your loss" was his reply!!!!!!!!!!! I rest my case.

The problem is - and this is a generalisation - most men don't 'wear' as well as women. Its easy for us to use skin care and make up, hair colouring, fashionable clothing..its almost expected of women not to let themselves 'go'. But men of our age who have been in long term relationships, in general HAVE let themselves go and have either no motivation to smarten up, diet and get/stay fit and so often they subscribe to that common male belief that they are attractive simply by being an available male! I sometimes reflect, when people watching, that it is rare to see a man of a 'certain age' who turns your head. Paunches, bad beards, comb-overs, scruffy clothing,BO -thats the norm.
And when they find themselves single again for any reason, they start looking for a 'babe' or failing that, a 'nurse with a purse'. Is it any wonder we older gals conclude that its better to stay single?

I can't imagine (and don't want to) being with anyone other than DH. We met when I was 19 and he was 26. We know each other''s faults, foibles, strengths and weaknesses and I think that takes a lifetime. We are both strong characters and had many a confrontation when we were younger and I couldn't be bothered reliving that part of a relationship. We are both happy where life has led us, and for that we are very thankful. But to start again....no thank you!

My ds is currently single and he's been on the Tindr website where you look at photos and either swipe left or right depending on your fancy! He phoned me and said " Mum, I've got repetitive strain injury from swiping left!" He reckons a lot of older women are telling porkies about their age.