Dear Readers,
After two and a half years of writing this monthly column, I’m taking a break.
You might wonder, is she getting married? Has she met the man of her dreams? Why else would she stop writing a singles’ column? I’ll tell you – although it does have something to do with romance, it has nothing to do with love. A couple years ago I finished writing a novel, a romance novel. Boy meets girl. Boy does something stupid and loses girl. Girl thinks about her worth in comparison to his and the bigger picture of life…. You know the formula. It’s a combination of Bridget Jones’ Diary meets Sex and the City, West Coast. But no publisher or literary agent would look at me unless I had already been published. Therein lies the conundrum. So I started writing this column, and found that I absolutely loved it! The only conflict was the time. One has to actively date to write a monthly column about dating. (Some people would just kill for a job like that, wouldn’t they?) As I wrote (and dated), I found less time to pursue publication of my book. I always assumed that the older I got, the more decadent time there would be. As it turns out, the older I get, I find I take more chances and try new things, ultimately engaging in more Activities-and-Hobbies-and-Interests, oh my! All time-consuming. That’s the way it should be, right? So, with all these things vying for my time, I now find that I must prioritize. Tops on my list is getting my book published.
But wait! There’s more! You can still read my column in élite Magazine. It comes out every other month. My column is called Ooh La Love! If it doesn’t come to your home, check it out online.
I thank you all for reading, and writing. I’ve received some great responses to my columns from both men and women, in all stages of relationships. I’ve loved and appreciated your candor, your opinions and, in so many emails, your willingness to share personal (though not always pleasant) experiences. We’ve laughed together, gotten aggravated together, and have solved the problems of dating in the Over-Forty world with each new scenario.
Keep smiling (especially in public). Continue to make eye contact with each other. Always enjoy the experience of meeting someone new. Try to avoid dinner as a first date (unless you have a very good feeling about him/her). Limit your list of “must-haves” when looking for your soul mate and, as much as you can, enjoy being Single… In Santa Clarita!
Respectfully, Julie