How about those of us who are 50, single, dating AND flashing.

"Are you ok?" "Yes, I'm really fine. Would you mind asking the waitress for another pitcher of ice water and a towel?" It's one thing to have your long-time spouse be the person you turn into Godzilla with and another to have the poor sap you met on Match catch your version of "fire".

Even if menopausal symptoms are not at issue, the dynamics on a middle-age date are much different than what you used to get to expect. Your first conversation, always about past relationships of course, took 10 minutes tops in your 20's. Now it takes up the first three months of your time together and you don't really get the explanations finished so much as you agree to stop discussing it because it's just a little bit depressing.

At 50, your potential mates don't come with baggage, they bring a matched set fit for a World Tour. But then, so do you.

The upside is that I'm so busy pursing the adolescent picture of the perfect relationship, and menopause is so incongruent with that mindset, that I often successfully ignore many of the symptoms.
I also believe on some level that I still have the potential for a 25 year anniversary. So in that way, I guess 50 is the new 30 to me; I don't anticipate an end to the fun for a VERY long time.
If we of the "me" generation decide we'll never get old, who can say we are? We have been doing things our way since Nixon lied and I don't see that changing because we make noise when we walk. Or forget the name of the damn dog - again.
Great lead on this Stacy - keep it up!

I recently left a job where all the women in my department called me “young eyes” and ganged up on me if I mentioned anything relating to menopause. It was all in good fun, but working with 5 women over 50 was a BIG glimpse into what life will be like for me in 20 years. They taught me a lot, more about patience, acceptance and humility than about how to do my job. Being side by side with them every day and relating on their level was an experience I will never forget. It made me appreciate my mother and all the trouble she went through (and still goes through) as a result of the “change.” Seeing these women weather the storm helps me to know that I’ll be OK too when life takes me on that ride.

Thanks for telling me about this Stacy, I’ll keep checking in!

Hi Stacy

I just want to know if it was your idea to have the Depends advertisement and link right next to your story, or if it was just one of those tiny little coincidences
that bring smiles to our faces accidentally?

Total accident girlfriend. Jut to let everyone know, my son has threatened to pour red paint over my head if I let my hair go gray.