Practical Dating Advice for Daters Over the Ripe Old Age of 47

Dating over the ripe old age of forty-seven-and-one-half is a whole different ballgame from our younger years. We are no longer getting the fresh fish of the day or cream of the crop. We are getting day-old, used goods that have undeniably seen better days. New relationships at our age entail far more concessions and compromises than when we initially said "I do" at our starter marriage. The potentials we now meet have defects, flaws, and questionable habits to contend with. No matter how we look at it, we are clearly dating someone else's hand-me-downs, sometimes permanently marred from years of use.

Before we get too pessimistic about our future prospects, remember that there is an upside to this whole seasoned dating thing we have got going here. We have experience, independence, and gumption! We have opinions based on actual experiences. When we give advice it's because we've been there, done that. We have suffered heartache and loss, which makes us appreciate and value relationships and things most often taken for granted. We have defined and pursued our deepest desires, perhaps traveled to Mozambique, and have had a few life experiences some people may only dream of.

Best of all? Unlike the IKEA furniture we purchased in college, we come fully assembled. No batteries or Barbie Dream House purchase necessary.

In other words, we have far more to offer our potential mate than mere speculation of what a life with us would entail. We have already become the people we want to be and embrace our uniqueness, quirks and all. We are complete.

Now that's not to say we wouldn't like to share our life with an amazing partner. It's just that our criteria for a perfect partner has evolved over the years. Tall, dark and handsome may have transitioned towards respectful, kind and loving. Fading appearances mean less, job titles or certain body types no longer define, and we really don't care what kind of car they drive. It's the love someone has to offer that is cherished above all else.

We have probably all been on a date or two that has left us feeling so deflated it would be easier to give up on the idea of finding our soul mate. For even the self-proclaimed "nerd" that I more endearingly referred to as the "nice guy" I went out with recently, ended up winning my "worst date ever" award when he explained that he wasn't ready to date and only asked me out upon the advice of his psychiatrist.

When less-than-perfect dating experiences leave us dazed and confused, there is a sense of relief in sharing the dreadful tales with our closest friends. What may have been a horrendous experience, soon becomes a funny antidote that has everyone laughing over our half-empty glasses of Pinot Noir and calamari appetizers.

What started out as a mindful book on dating over a "certain age", full of thoughtful insights and heartwarming hope, turned comedic. Gratefully, we might add. This is a candid, teetering towards brutally honest, book on dating advice that could only be given by our very best friends based on decades of experience.

Pull up a chair at the bar and join us. You are officially invited to our happy hour where short of wearing perfectly matched Fabletics fitness clothes in restaurants, anything goes. We are going to help you navigate some of the stereotypical partners to avoid and a few worthy of a second glance.

For we all deserve to live our own version of happily ever after...