Single Momma Turned Matchmaker!

It's been a hot minute since I donned my Prostate Wife hat. I have been busy earning my masters degree, working with clients for SJM Consulting, and promoting my book. While walking my dog on the Ream Wilson Trail a couple weeks ago, I met a 63 year old man who is snow birding in Safety Harbor for the next month. He is from the Denver area, and was wearing a hoodie that promoted a Longmont brand, so for this reason, we instantly connected since I am also from Colorado. As I applauded his intelligence and his financial freedom that allowed him to take time off from his life there and to thaw out here in Florida, I got to know what made David tick; he loves to travel, is a good dad and grandpa, he has a supportive group of family and friends in Florida and in Colorado, but there was something missing from his life... love.

As someone who was single, mid-life and dated ferociously to find a new husband I know how hard it is to be alone and want to share your life with someone. Many of my friends told me was an unhealthy obsession with dating apps, but I digress. After three wobbly years in Panama City as a single mom, I finally succeeded and found my Mr. Right, or as he would soon become, My Amazing Man. But getting there was tough. There was a lot of heart ache, many break ups, weird first dates, a womanizing city councilman, anger, jealousy, and a ton of confusion and chaos for me and my boys because of my full-on assault to find love again as a young hot momma. 

So, naturally, as I walked the trail to the harbor with my new found brother David, I started to wonder if I could help him and others like him to find love, like I have with Tony. I immediately thought of a dear friend who is also about 60, who lives down the street from me, PA. She is a sculptor and very interesting and fun. "They would be a great match, for sure," I reconciled. She and David agreed to meet up with my husband and I at Barfly the next evening. They exchanged numbers and the rest is up to them. 

PA and David may become something more than a casual acquaintance, or maybe they won't, but the chance is worth the effort of meeting. Then I got to thinking, after some serious conversations with my husband on the topic of matchmaking, that it was in my wheelhouse to organize an event that could get singles together, and what a great time of year to do this, right after Valentine's Day when people are sad and lonely, like I was for those three Valentines Day's following my divorce. 

So the day after our foursome date for drinks, I marched into my favorite business on Main Street, Sips to bounce the idea off of them. The new owners of Sips loved the idea (and my enthusiasm) and we put a date on the calendar. I have been promoting the event, as HONEYMOON SPEED DATING ever since and I hope to have four hours of speed dating fun organized so that people can meet up, decide if they are a match for one another, and then move onto the next. 

What I can tell you about those three years of being single with kids back in Panama City, is that I just had to kiss a lot of frogs in order to find my prince. Everything had to fit. The stars had to align AND there had to be chemistry. That's a lot to ask from a first date. I wanted the opportunity to meet other men, figure out who they were and then move onto the next, if I had to. 

I write all about my crazy dating years in Panama City in my new book, You Have Arrived. You can order it on Amazon or book sellers can order from Ingram Spark. Happy Valentine's Day to you. I hope you realize that self-love is the first step in your coupling journey. Only then can you offer your whole heart to another, and that's the best time to find true love and happiness!