sixtyandme logo
We are community supported and may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Learn more

To Date or Not to Date, Is That Really the Question?

By Maggie Marangione January 27, 2023 Dating

I have been divorced for 15 years and in that time period I have had three two-year relationships and many dates. Relationship #1 ended in his unexpected death. #2 ended because he bored me into a coma, #3 was with a musician 13 years younger than me and we lived together for one of those years. While it was fun, it was also not sustainable.

Interestingly, in being single, my life has grown the richest it has ever been. My adult children are mostly functional and out of the house, I have numerous hobbies, and I have healed from marrying (yes marrying) dysfunctional men.

I married a punk rock guitarist, a Hells Angel, and finally, the abusive manic-depressive artist who refused to work and who I chose to have my children with. That’s enough for anyone.

Is Anyone Out There?

As I have gotten myself emotionally healthier, I have wondered if I could find and date someone normal – like an accountant. Certainly, I was not meeting anyone in the many hobbies I engage in or outdoor and social activities.

My last encounter was with the handyman I found to do some small house repairs. He was nice looking, had a ponytail(!) and liked to hike. While I was holding a fence board, he said, “You’re a really fun-loving and nice woman. Would you like to go to dinner sometime?”

He then countered with, “I live in Florida for half the year, so I don’t see my wife that often. We got married two years ago, then she got cancer, has gotten cranky, is no fun to be with, and won’t have sex. By the way, you have a great body.” This encounter made me rethink online dating.

The Online Meat Market Bar

I have had my daughter help me with my online profile. I have created profiles with my three single girlfriends over a glass of wine. I have posted a picture on a good day, just laughing, and engaging in my hobbies. I have been funny, honest, transparent, and followed best practices.

Despite all that, online dating feels like sitting in a crowded smoke-filled bar with a crappy band playing cover songs. Everyone is making eye contact, winking and smiling but never engaging. Also, I live in a very rural area so saying, “I love the outdoors!” is countered with photos of men in camouflage with a dead animal.

I did manage to date a fellow white-water paddler who worked for Microsoft. I broke up with him when he quit his job so he could go to more music festivals. (THERAPY HAS WORKED!).

So, What’s the Problem?

Querying my single girlfriends has yielded interesting results.

Location, Location, Location

None of us know any single men in our rural area – everyone appears to be married.

Many Men Seem Limited

They don’t read, get their news off of social media and drink a lot of soda.

They Want a Warm Body

Any body. Two farmers I dated wanted to get married after dating for six weeks. I will never get married ever again. My perfect relationship would be monogamy with two separate houses.

The Problem Is Me

When I was dating one of the farmers, who appeared stable, normal and functional, my sister told me, “You better hold onto him because, you know, you’re a bit odd and this opportunity won’t happen again.” A month later, I found teen girl porn on his iPad and discovered he owed his ex-wife about half a million dollars. Good-bye!

I have done the homework to mitigate my dysfunctions, which has resulted in being engaged with my life, and I don’t look to anyone to fix me. Most importantly, I’m not attracted to dangerous men. And, after a certain age, compromising just to be in a relationship does not feel right.

I don’t want to be anyone’s teddy bear or mother, and I certainly don’t want to take care of anyone as they physically or mentally deteriorate. I raised three difficult children by myself, managed a farm while working and caretook a severely mentally ill spouse and two aging parents. I’m done.

“Don’t you at least want to be married so we can take care of each other as we age?” asked one suitor. “NO! You better have enough money for a nurse cause I’m not doing that, and I don’t expect anyone to do it for me.” I replied.

Kissing Frogs

Occasionally, very occasionally, like when I want a date for a wedding invite, I muse about finding someone, wondering if I will ever have sex again before I die, and if I really want to have sex again. Yet, if a physically and mentally healthy man showed up with a bottle of wine, the New York Times, and hiking boots, I would consider it, but right now, the only person who fits that bill is the Amazon delivery driver.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you been on and off dating, with terrible experience to show? What kind of man would feel good to date at this time in your life? If you have to make a compromise with yourself in order to date a man, would you?

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

54 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Deb S

Been widowed six years. Met a man online and spent a glorious summer with him in his home. Went back to my home (we live 800 miles apart) and Covid struck. Our connection petered out, which was fine, he is a good guy, but I do better on my own. I too spent decades caring for an unwell partner, and have no interest in doing it again. It would be fun to have a buddy, someone to do stuff with, but not too serious.

Carolyn

Maggie…you have read my mind!! I have been divorced twice, cheated on by both, so my thoughts about dating and having another man in my life are exactly like yours. I’m past the age of seeing the need. Reading your comments not only solidified my ideas, but your statements brought a smile to my face. I just recently lost my daughter to complications from MS, after caring for her for 11 years. Now it’s time for me to find happiness again and my new life…without extra baggage. You do sound like a very interesting person who’s got it figured out. Enjoy life for you now.

L.Hall

 “and if I really want to have sex again?” I don’t think so…..I also don’t want to have to wait on a man again. I like my singlehood! Eating what I want, watching what I want, going where I want, and the list goes on!

LindaT

My last relationship ended 5 years ago, and I haven’t dated since. Thank gawd. I had either a husband or a boyfriend from the time I was 19 until I turned 59, with no breaks. I am so thoroughly enjoying being on my own! I honestly don’t know if I will ever date again, and if that’s my future, I’m more than OK with it. I think I’ve had enough of bending and compromising.

Sara

Hi all! Strange to be on this but learning to navigate technology which is great when it works well and shitty when it doesn’t. Just ended a 41 year relationship and it’s painful but learning that I am deserving of happiness. I have raised four boys and don’t need to deal with more testosterone than necessary. Relationships are hard and finding a good man is a skill. I think dating can be an adventure but dangerous as I read the stories. My girlfriends will always be there for me and I don’t think I need to find a man to fill that “companion” mode.

The Author

Margaret S. Marangione is a Professor of writing at the University of Virginia and Blue Ridge Community College. Her novel, Across the Blue Ridge Mountains, has been submitted for the Pen Faulkner award. Additionally, her short stories, essays and poetry have been published in Appalachian Journal, The Upper New Review, Lumina Journal, Enchanted Living and Sagewoman magazine.

You Might Also Like