When I first started dating, I was all about excitement and adventure. I wanted someone my age, someone who could share in the wild, unpredictable journey of life. It was all about discovering the world together, making mistakes, and growing from them. My mom, however, had a different perspective—one that I wasn’t quite ready for at the time.

“Why struggle?” she would ask, whenever I’d tell her about my latest dating disasters. “Do you really want to waste your time with a man who’s still figuring it out? You need someone who’s already built something, someone who’s been through life and come out the other side.”

I remember rolling my eyes at her advice, thinking she was completely out of touch. “Like who?” I asked, half-expecting her to suggest someone closer to her age than mine.

“Men in their 50s,” she said without hesitation. “They’ve done the hard work. They’re more mature, they understand life better, and they usually have financial stability. They’ve got more to offer than just excitement.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her response. “So, you’re saying I should date someone who’s lived through two decades of adulthood already?”

“Exactly,” she said with a knowing smile. “Someone who knows how to handle responsibilities, and most importantly, has the means to make your life easier. No chasing dreams—just enjoying life together.”

Her words stuck with me, even though I laughed them off at first. In a way, it made sense. Dating someone who had already experienced the ups and downs of life, who knew what they wanted and had the means to create a stable, comfortable life, might not be such a bad idea. It wasn’t just about excitement anymore; it was about finding someone who could bring balance, wisdom, and a sense of security to the table.

I began to see my mom’s advice not as outdated but as a different kind of truth—one that could lead to a different kind of happiness.