I met my wonderful but since passed husband when I was in my young 30's; and after a quasi-accidental sabbatical of 5 years I just started dated someone surprisingly awesome now in my late 40's, who is even a little younger than me. I wasn't looking to meet a guy, but I was socializing at the time I met him, just enjoying getting to know people on a person-to-person basis, and we just got along really well. It's only been a few weeks right now but we keep being happily surprised by what we learn about one another, and I think love may well be in the offing.

I have high standards for the kind of person I want to date.. but have found that if I'm patient eventually I meet just that kind of person. I like someone down-to-earth, kind, etc., and I make the effort to be those things too.. it can take some time, but it's a relief for all involved to finally meet someone who has similar values.

It does help to be social. The more people you meet, the more chances you have of making real connections. And don't fret about the men who are looking for a Barbie-type.. just be thankful that they are self-filtering themselves out of the running for you by showing how their values are skewed. Good riddance! I think a smart and good person is looking for someone real, so that you need only be yourself, and not worry about what shallow persons might be "looking for". Confidence is actually the sexiest feature a person can have, IMO.