Online dating: a great way to meet new people when you are over 50, work with people much younger than you, don’t want to hang out in bars, and want some pre-selection of the prospects. Using websites to meet people can be daunting and time consuming; I’ve often said one needs to kiss a lot of frogs before the prince comes along.
Jeff (the prince) and I met on JDate.com in the spring of 2006 and we clicked right away. After dating for a few weeks he told me he had a business trip planned to the Far East in July and asked me to meet him in Beijing after he was finished working so that we could travel for a couple of weeks. I would pay my own way but he would plan our itinerary. I said yes and then went home and thought, “What in the world have I just agreed to?” Not only did we not know each very well but my first grandchild was due in July.
The baby arrived almost a week late; a healthy little boy. His bris was on his eighth day and that was the same day as my pre-purchased ticket to Beijing! The ceremony was at nine in the morning, the car service picked me up noon, and the plane left JFK at five in the afternoon. I guess my trip was meant to be since the timing worked out so neatly.
The China vacation could have gone 3 different ways: we could hate traveling together and part ways, perhaps before our plans were completed; we could become great friends and traveling companions; or we could develop a lasting relationship that combines friendship, love, and travel.
Maybe you’ve figured out it was door number three: Jeff and I have now been together for 11 years and married for 7. We both have had previous lives and experiences and our new life together doesn’t negate or ignore the past. We are building on the past and adding to our experiences and call this part of our lives Chapter 2 and travel is a big part of our lives together.
So…