I hope everything goes the way you want.

I hope the two of you will have a lovely time!

I plan to be up front and honest with her, there's just something about her that...well, I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but I feel it in my heart.

After my mid-life divorce, I expected to die alone in my very red and religious area. Despite the odds, I somehow got once-in-a-lifetime lucky yet again. There is hope if you're willing to be patient.

Just two people talking, getting to know each other.

Good wishes to you, MCE!

She will luv ya, we all do.

I hope it goes well. Like others before me have said, just be yourself and have a good time.

Trust me on this. And good luck, I’m happy for you! You got this.

Thank you!!

boyfriend! He’s 90 in just a few weeks. He approached her while she was out walking at the outdoor mall by a lake and they sat and watched the ducks and talked. They sparked so they met the same place a week later. And off it went from there.

They both still drive. He’s in great shape, some medical issues, but great for almost 90. Both widowed, of course.

Sounds like a spark for you, too. It can happen at any age! Enjoy your time.

😀

and rare... Good on your Mom and her boyfriend, Nixie!

They keep planning lots of things together that they’ve never done, which is cool as long as they don’t over do it.

Mahalo Cha!

Inspiring! How wonderful fr your Mom.. I imagine his family feels the same.

but I have no clue how dating works anymore.

neither do I.
Back when I first met my wife, it was a given that the man asked the girl out, now, it's totally different, not in a bad way, just...different.

Paraphrased she said
'After a certain age men tend to avoid making sudden moves where women are concerned. The women have to do the sudden moving, or everyone stands still until it's too late.'

Yes, it's quite all right now for a woman to ask a man out...

As for any other advice given by your children or grandchildren about 'dating',
I have doubts about whether it would aptly apply to you and your date---
presuming she is closer in age to you than she is to them,
she would probably be able to relate better to your 'old-school' dating traditions...

One thing they *might* tell you is that if it goes well, and you want to see her again,
don't wait too long to call her or at least text her--- not more than 2 days, IMHO.
(and if you had a good time, it wouldn't be out of line to text her and tell her so the next day,
or even phone her if you're comfortable with that.)

Good luck, I hope you enjoy it!


You know, my father was in the same situation after my mother died, when he was 80 years old---
and a few years after that, he reconnected with a girl he knew from high school,
and they had dated before he got together with my mother, in their teens!
They became boyfriend and girlfriend for quite a few years, in their 80s!

Leave any expectations behind and just have a nice time together.

And don’t worry if you’re feeling a little bit rusty about these things. You’re both in the same boat, so you already have a lot in common!

You are alive so live - ignore the kids and grandkids - just be you.

Less pressure, more reality.

That's what I was looking for after working on my self/growing for a few years after a heartbreaking divorce.

Looking for a friend. Found one who turned out to be a soul mate and the love of my life.

Look for a friend and let things run a comfortable, natural course.

You deserve friends, MCE, and maybe a new friend might grow into a surprise garden.

Be gentle... with yourself. You are a wise man, and kind, I think. That and your sense of humor will make you a good friend for a woman. And from there, maybe you get to learn to dance again.

It happens. If not now, well, everything is a learning experience. Just relax. You got this!

OK, maybe just me

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

until about six months later---- would not be bad advice to 'be yourself' which would be the most honest---

Of course we would all try to be the best version of ourselves---!

If not DU will be waiting for a full report.
Have a great time MCE.

You deserve to be happy!

You deserve it

Position as you. She's not of " this day and age" either and is looking forward to a date like she is used to have too.

and I just have to add, I think it was the perfect place as this was the most uplifting post I read in the GD forum today

Be sure she has birth control pills

Seriously , good luck to both of you.

and don't try to pass it off on their woman!!!

(I always did when I was young, and never created any unplanned pregnancies--
so far as I know!)

(although in this specific case, it may well be a 'moot point')

Hope you have wonderful evening. You obviously hit it off, so just pick up where you left off in your congenial meeting.

Is she a DUer?

Peace ☮️

It's never going to be perfect, but you already knew that.

Just try not to expect too much and maybe you'll end up being pleasantly surprised.

Good luck MCE!

You’ll naturally be a tad nervous but it seems you’ve overcome the first bump in the road so just enjoy the ride to wherever your new friendship takes you. I’m so happy for you 😊

What kind of advice are you getting from the young'uns?

To me, that seems kinda extreme, but that's just my old fashioned way.

You and I are about the same age, so I have a suggestion. Ask her if she would like for you to pick her up, or whether she would like to meet you for the date, and ask her if you can pay for her dinner, if that's part of the date. It never hurts to ask. That way you don't run the chance of seeming pushy, or overbearing. GOOD LUCK!!!

let me do this my way and if it works, it works, if not.................

Very exciting for you! Don't get too worked up, try to relax and just have fun. If it's meant to be, it will happen. And who knows, soon you might be giving dating advice to the rest of us!

that means alot to me.

…don’t be weird.

At ease, soldier.

How dare you call a Marine a Soldier.
Of course I'm just kidding.
No plans on being weird.

Lucy's advice to her father when he's going on a date with Sidney Ellen Wade is "Compliment her shoes. Girls like that."

Seriously - relax and be your own charming self. I think it's awesome that she asked you out. Good for her!

Wishing you a fun and enjoyable evening, and if it's meant to be - then wishing you whatever comes next as long as it's happiness inspired!!!

So MCE, put a good shine on the shoes and clean behind your ears!

Since I haven’t been on a date since the 80s, I got nothing else to offer.

The clean behind the ears came from a TikTok video I saw last week. There was a list of seven, can only remember the ears and possibly use just a dab of cologne if any.

I think everything else is standard, hold the door open, treat service staff nicely, basically stuff we learned in our first year of dating.

'After all, how often do you look at a man's shoes?" ~ The Shawshank Redemption

she's now home on her 34 hour reset and getting ready to head out on her second solo run.

Just be yourself and everything will fall into place.

There must be so much good in you to have been married for so long.
I'm sure she does too.
Share that. That's what got you here.
I'm wishing you both the Best.

Just relax and have a good time!

And by the way, I saw a car this morning with a tag that said “2x JRHDZ”. I almost ran off the road!

your first wife would not want you to be alone on her account......

have fun!

I am wishing you good luck and have a wonderful time!
I am so happy for you!

You have got this.

Almost forgot good luck

Be YOU!

And be open to love again, but don’t rush in.

If she is, you'll have plenty to talk about. If not, you'll have plenty to talk about too, but there probably won't be a second date.


Are you having dinner together?

find you irresistible.

or any weekend....

but I'm past the age 'where men make sudden moves with women'...!


Good luck, I hope it goes well.

Be polite -- open doors for her; pull out her chair at the table; help her on/off with her coat.
Don't dominate the conversation; ask her about herself.

I'm an old soldier. I've known a lot of Marines and everyone was a gentleman . . . well, maybe except for . . . but that's another story.

I'm happy for both of you.

Good luck, you won't need it.

My ex-wife convinced me that single-life was superior; I have few regrets.

Others prefer company, and I appreciate that some people can do that.

2nd Chapters are real. Best to you. This comes from a man who lost his wife of 40 years 3 years ago.

Don't stress and be yourself

you'll do fine.

Make sure you compliment her...something like, "You don't sweat much for a big girl".

You now owe me a new keyboard, I laughed so hard I spit all over my keyboard and shorted it out.
Thanks for nothing.

Relax and have fun. A sense of humor goes a long way. Just go with the flow and have a good time. The worst that can happen is that you may make a new friend.

Good luck!!!

On the seond date you can actually show her the thread, Be yourself and enjoy. Best.

We want a followup on this story.

I meant to say more, but that would seem to be a bit personal.

begin this next chapter in your life. May it be a great one. You deserve it, my friend.

We will, of course, expect a FULL report!!

Hope you both hit it off well and you make a new friend, or something more.

I'm sure it will be lovely getting to know someone new and vice versa. It'll be good to tell your stories to someone who is curious and open to them as she gets to know you, and vice versa. Talking to your kids when they've known you their whole life runs into expectations, assumptions, and relationship habits and just isn't that satisfying. This is all new, fresh. I feel certain you will have a wonderful time.

Well, she asked you out and you already seem to click - that's a great start.

Are you going anywhere special, or just hanging out at one of your homes? In any case, just be yourself.

Relax, you've got this.

after that, I'll ask her if there's anywhere special she'd like to go to, maybe dancing, even though I'm a terrible dancer, when I dance, I look like one of those inflatable figures that you see at a car dealership that flops everywhere.

Just let expectations go and enjoy.

she'll probably remember dating the same way you do.

If I had to guess, I’d offer “be open to everything, while harboring no expectations”

But since I met my wife 52 years ago when we were both 22, and we are still together, I’m probably the VERY last person you should ask for advice!

His second marriage was wonderful because his first taught him how to love.

Best of luck.

And have fun! You deserve some joy.

I don't see you tolerating anything less. And can she cook. Very important because Portuguese food is delicious!
I do love she invited you, so she's somewhat assertive. That should help with your conversation.
I hope you both have a magical evening!

There's no reason either of you should spend this chapter of your life being lonely. It also sounds as if you have great kids and grandkids. Maybe she does, too.

My widowed mother is 90 today, about ready for assisted living, and loneliness is, I think, her biggest issue, as it is with many older people. I hope this develops into something!

Dating wont be much different relative to your youth vs that you both have much more stuff than in your youth. Best wishes.

Hang in there Jarhead. Take it one step at a time. Semper Fidelis.

being a gentleman never hurts either.

you will be fine.

what you paid for it.

Be yourself. Don't worry about what is next for the two of you and enjoy the moment. Don't be afraid to talk about your former spouses. They were a big part of both of your lives. I still have thoughts about my first wife I lost 40 years ago.

She might be further along in her grieving cycle and will likely be willing to give you any space you need.

All the best.

I wish you all the best and all I would ever advise someone in your situation is to be 100% yourself without compromise. You honor your wife and marriage by sharing the person you were by remaining the man that you are. May the road rise to meet you!

Hope this works out for BOTH of you guys. Everyone deserves happiness!!

Ask your friend what she thinks about. I bet your politics are very similar. Share freely. Have fun.

How we date dates us. Now, if people would just go into it without any expectations and roll with whatever happens, it would probably be more fun, and a lot easier on the brain.

Spoken by a man who for all intents and purposes never had a "date" in his life.

-- Mal