By Editor Samantha Brick
Married for 51 years, a widow for five years, two daughters over 50
Dating past?
I was married to my late husband, Stephen, for more than 50 years. He died from Covid at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Until then, we had spent more than 20 years living in Europe. I returned to the UK after my husband died. Today, I鈥檓 not sure how I feel about a relationship with someone else. While I don鈥檛 feel my age, I appreciate that I am 80. Nonetheless, I do still admire a good-looking chap in the street.
Pre-date nerves?
No, I鈥檓 not a shy woman. Even though the last time I went on a date was before I married in 1969, I still have a lot to say.
First impressions?
Steven stood and shook hands, then asked me where I鈥檇 like to sit, which was polite of him. He isn鈥檛 good-looking, but he isn鈥檛 ugly either. He鈥檇 made an effort and was wearing a casual suit. How to describe his physical attributes? I鈥檓 afraid none of his features stood out for me.
Easy to talk to?
Steven did 99 per cent of the talking 鈥 he does not stop! I got the whole history of how he gave up his career after his wife died to raise his three children. Even though he hasn鈥檛 had a relationship since he lost her in 2006, I do think he is over the worst of the grief. Although, tellingly, we both talked about having bought plots next to where our respective other halves are buried. I鈥檓 not sure if that鈥檚 blind date subject matter, but it cropped up.
Embarrassing moments?
Luckily, no.
Did sparks fly?
Not on my part.
See him again?
No, I wouldn鈥檛 spend more time with Steven because we have nothing in common.
What do you think he thought of you?
To be honest, I haven鈥檛 got a clue. Not unpleasant, maybe?
Would your daughters like him?
They鈥檇 both know Steven isn鈥檛 for me. When I told one of them how much he talked on our date, she said: 鈥楤ut Mum, he鈥檚 probably very lonely.鈥 It鈥檚 very perceptive.
Widower, single for 19 years, two daughters, 36 and 34, and a son, 32
Dating past?
I was married for 23 years (minus two days). My children were 16, 15 and 13 when their mum died aged 50, so dating was out of the question while they were in school. I sold the house to keep them in private education and so I could be at home full-time with them. I had a successful career in PR and marketing. While I have done some dating since the youngest turned 18, my late wife Bonny was a very hard act to follow.
Pre-date nerves?
I regularly perform live on stage and I believe nerves sharpen you up.
First impressions?
Sorry, Pam, but my match looked older than I thought she was going to be! While she鈥檚 definitely not unattractive, she does seem her age.
Easy to talk to?
Yes. Pam has led an interesting life, although the past five years haven鈥檛 been kind to her. Both she and her husband contracted Covid at the start of the pandemic and she lost him to it. Since then, she has repeatedly suffered from the virus.
We found out we grew up ten minutes apart from one another in north London.
Embarrassing moments?
No, the waiters were nice, too.
Did sparks fly?
From my side, no. Pam is rather reserved and I鈥檓 very outgoing. I have no wish to be derogatory because she is a lovely lady and deserves a break. But I suspect she鈥檇 be more compatible with someone older than me.
See her again?
Pam is a fan of London鈥檚 V&A Museum so I might suggest we go together in a couple of months.
What do you think she thought of you?
That I鈥檓 a bit mad, possibly?
Would your friends and family like her?
They鈥檇 be surprised by my choice. She鈥檚 a quiet, big-hearted lady. But I鈥檓 75 going on 65 鈥 and that鈥檚 not Pam.