Life Love and Laughter

Dive into the colorful tapestry of my life, where each thread is woven with tales of adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments. This blog kicks off with my experiences navigating the sometimes wild, often amusing world of online dating—a journey filled with unexpected twists, quirky characters, and plenty of laughter. But that’s just the beginning! Life, […]

Welcome to Life, Love, and Laughter!

Dive into the colorful tapestry of my life, where each thread is woven with tales of adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments. This blog kicks off with my experiences navigating the sometimes wild, often amusing world of online dating—a journey filled with unexpected twists, quirky characters, and plenty of laughter.

But that’s just the beginning! Life, Love, and Laughter will follow my journey beyond dating, capturing significant events, cherished memories, and the everyday stories that shape who I am. Whether it’s reflections on past experiences or the joys and challenges of the present, this space is a celebration of life’s ups and downs, all shared with a dose of humor and sincerity.

Join me as I explore the rich fabric of life, finding love, laughter, and meaning in every chapter.

But Before we Dive into my Love Life Here are Some Tips for Staying Safe While Dating Online (With a Dash of Humor)

1. Guard Your Info Like It’s Your Netflix Password
   Don’t share your life story or your bank account details with someone who just learned your name. Keep it light and breezy, like your favorite sitcom.
2. Pick a Platform That’s Not Run by Your Neighbor’s Cat
   Stick to well-known dating sites or apps with proper safety features. If the app looks like it was made in a basement, swipe left on it too!
3. Stay on the Platform, Sherlock
   Keep those messages on the app where it’s safe. Moving to personal emails or phone numbers too soon could lead to more drama than a reality TV show.
4. Google is Your Friend
   Before meeting up, give your potential date a quick search. If their online footprint is cleaner than a cat’s whiskers, that’s a red flag!
5. Photos: No Need to Show Your Passport
   Share fun photos, not ones that could double as a street map to your house. Remember, mystery is part of the charm!
6. Listen to Your Gut (and Your Best Friend)
   If something feels off, it probably is. And if your best friend gives you that “Are you serious?” look, listen!
7. FaceTime Before You Face Them
   A quick video chat can save you from surprises. You don’t want to find out they’re more of a catfish than a cutie.
8. Meet in Public, Not in a Dungeon
   Choose a lively café or park for your first date. Coffee shops have lattes and witnesses—what more could you want?
9. Your Ride, Your Rules
   Have your own way to get there and back. You don’t want to be stuck with a ride that turns out to be a one-way ticket to Awkwardville.
10. No Loans or Sob Stories, Please
    If they ask for money, tell them you’re saving up for a vacation—or better yet, a therapist for them. No one needs to fund someone else’s sob story.
11. Report the Creeps, Don’t Keep Them
    If someone gives you the heebie-jeebies, report them. You’ll be doing yourself and the next potential dater a huge favor.

Remember, dating should be fun—not a thriller novel. Stay safe, laugh a lot, and swipe responsibly!

The Coffee Date Chronicles: A Tale of Tea, Tickets, and Tall Tales

So, picture this: it’s sometime towards the end of 2024, and my friends and I are gathered for a sleepover—a perfect opportunity to dissect my perpetually single status. I defended myself valiantly, citing work, family commitments, and the fact that I’m perfectly content alone. But let’s be real, they weren’t buying it, especially since one friend, now blissfully married, met her soulmate on an online dating site just over 2 years ago

With my time being a precious commodity, we all agreed that online dating was my best bet. We set up my profile, with my trusty ChatGPT sidekick, ensuring my English and presentation were flawless.

So off I went, diving into the vast pool of digital bachelors. My dating age range? 51-75—because, let’s face it, I’m not about to date anyone who still needs a permission slip for field trips.

Hang on a bit, maybe you need to know the criteria for my Mr Right, you will see I don’t ask for much:

Criteria for the Man I’m After (Readers, Take Notes! 😉)

1. Emotionally Mature (No Peter Pan Syndrome)
   I’m looking for someone who’s done playing games—unless it’s a board game, then I’m all in!
2. Financially Stable (No Couch Surfing Kings)
   He doesn’t need to be a billionaire, but a man who knows how to manage his finances is a must. Bonus points if he can teach me a thing or two!
3. Sense of Humor (Laugh Lines Welcome)
   Life is full of ups and downs, and I need someone who can laugh through it all, especially when I tell my corniest jokes.
4. Family-Oriented (Knows How to Work a BBQ)
   A man who values family and enjoys spending time with loved ones gets a big thumbs up from me. Bonus points for grilling skills!
5. Respectful and Kind (No Room for Rudeness)
   Kindness is key. If he treats everyone with respect—from the waiter to his own mother—he’s already winning.
6. Good Communication Skills (No Ghosting Allowed)
   Clear, honest communication is a must. If he can talk through issues rather than walking away, we’re off to a great start.
7. Ambitious but Grounded (Dreamer with a Plan)
   I admire a man with goals and the drive to achieve them, but he should also know how to enjoy the present.
8. Loves Life and Laughter (The More, the Merrier)
   A zest for life and a love for laughter is non-negotiable. If he can make me smile even on a bad day, he’s a keeper.
9. A Touch of Romance (Flowers Optional)
   He doesn’t have to be a poet, but a little romance now and then never hurt anyone. Thoughtful gestures are always appreciated.
10. Compatible Values (Aligned on the Big Stuff)
    It’s important that we share similar values, especially when it comes to life’s big decisions.
11. Health is Wealth (No More Nursing)
    I’m done with the scrubs, thank you very much. He needs to be healthy in every sense: physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. I’m looking for a partner, not a patient!
12. Looks to Impress (Handsome, Obviously!)
    Let’s start with the basics—he’s got to be easy on the eyes. We’re aiming for “dashing” here, not “only a mothe could love.” Somewhere between 5’8″ and 6 feet tall, because I like a man who can reach the top shelf but won’t give me neck cramps.
13. Sincere and Honest (Lairs Need Not Apply)
    Honesty isn’t just a policy; it’s a requirement. If he’s sincere, we’re off to a great start. If he’s prone to little white lies, he can keep on swiping.
14. Kindness and Generosity (Spoil Me Rotten of course, I deserve it!)
    A kind heart and a generous spirit are non-negotiable. Bonus points if he loves to spoil me—flowers, chocolates, maybe the occasional spa day. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
15. Unconditional Love (Bring on the Fairy Tale)
    I’m talking about the kind of love that songs are written about. He needs to love me for me—quirks, flaws, and all. Think “happily ever after” without the Disney soundtrack (unless he sings too!).
16. Divorce and Kids (Keep it Simple)
    One divorce is understandable; two starts to look like a hobby. As for kids, two is my max—I’m not looking to start a football team. And if they’re well-behaved, even better! Besides it wouldn’t be fair I only have one
17. Non-Smoker (But Bring the Fire)
    Smoking? Big no-no. I want a man who’s burning with passion, not tobacco. Keep the lungs clear and the romance alive!

So, there you have it—my criteria wrapped in a little humor but 100% serious. If you think you tick all these boxes, step right up; I’m ready to meet my match!

Within moments of joining, the likes and number requests started rolling in. One gentleman, in particular, caught my eye. He seemed genuine, and unlike most, he wasn’t requesting my number within the first five minutes. He did, list his height as 5’3″….I was sure this was in error. Now, I’m a short lady myself, but let’s just say I prefer my men a bit taller. Still, he seemed sweet, so we moved our chat to WhatsApp, and before long, we were arranging a coffee date for Saturday. (This was on a Tuesday)

Fast forward to date day. I started getting ready at 10:00 AM for a 3 PM date—because, punctuality isn’t really my forte and I didn’t want to be late. This was my first date in 8 years! I wasn’t about to be late. It was coffee but I made a big effort.

I parked in a bustling rural area, filled with people interested in Christmas markets. In my excitement, I parked, registered my car on my parking app. He was already there, eager and early, having arrived an hour before our scheduled meet-up. Points for enthusiasm! Don’t blame him, I wouldn’t want to be late for me too.

When we finally met, it felt like we’d known each other for ages. The conversation flowed, and he was already envisioning us as husband and wife- I think. Oh, and he brought his dog, which was adorable, I’ll admit. But let’s get real—he was shorter than expected, that 5’3 wasn’t an error. I was nearly taller than him! (Shall I refer you back to my criteria for Mr Right) I’d already decided that romance was off the table. And then he casually mentioned he was in the middle of his third divorce. Yep, third! Apparently, his last relationship ended just weeks ago, and his recent ex-wife was now in Vietnam. Wife number one also left the country and was apparently living happily in Spain! by now I wasn’t listen coz I cant remember where he said number was! I was floored—this man needed a dating detox, stat! He must have noticed my reaction – even though I had kept it subtle, he then just said “oh maybe I should have mentioned that before” So casually – anyway it didnt matter he was far from Mr Right.

After our hour and fifteen minutes together, which involved him sipping coffee and me nursing a half a mug lukewarm tea, he eagerly wanted a photo with me and “our” dog. I graciously declined, citing my urgent need to return to my car— I sense he would have wanted to hold hands – and you know what, I probably would have held hands out of pity as he looked like he would cry, fortunately I found a way to make my hands look busy, picking my clean nails, removing imaginary dust and dirt as we walked back to the cars- only to find a parking ticket waiting for me. A ticket, no man, and no second date! In my haste and panic I had packed and paid to park my old car.

On the drive home, I missed my turn twice, it felt like I was actually running away from him. I was navigating through winding country roads, fuming all the way. Once home, he messaged, showering me with compliments, again I don’t blame him, remember it took me 4 hours to get ready! So expressing his desire for a dinner date. I politely declined, suggesting friendship instead—though, given his “hundreds” of friends, he clearly didn’t need another. He politely turned me down for the friendship role, and just like that, our brief romance was history.

And so, the coffee date ended with me having a parking fine, a cold tea, and a hilarious story for the blog. Onward and upward—there are plenty more fish in the digital sea, and I’m not one to put all my eggs in one basket!