Looking for better love: joyful music-lover seeks quiet, affectionate family man

Gender: Female

Age: 74

Looking for: A long-term monogamous relationship with a man.

I’m a retired school and music teacher, a mother of two adult children and a very proud grandmother. I’m also someone who believes that life is meant to be lived with joy — and I make a conscious effort to find something to be joyful about every day.

Last February, while a Gulf of Mexico beach was crowded with families enjoying American school break, I discovered that I was the only person in the waves. While everyone else was satisfied with the beach, I was happily swimming and playing in the sea. That probably says something about me: I’m energetic, curious and not afraid to enjoy life in my own way.

I’m easy to talk to. I have a joyful, energetic aura and genuinely care about people. I’m thoughtful, a good listener and I like both lively conversation and quiet companionship.

I like keeping active. You might find me working out at the gym, swimming lengths, taking an aqua fit class or walking around the neighbourhood or somewhere surrounded by nature.

Music has always been a huge part of my life. My playlist is extensive and wonderfully eclectic. I also love playing the piano. Music can change my entire mood, and sharing that feeling with someone special would be one of life’s great pleasures.

I also know how to relax at home. I can happily listen to music, read a book or watch a sporting event with someone I care about. Sometimes the best moments are simply being together.

My dating history

I was married for 50 years before my husband passed away two years ago. 

What I’m looking for in a relationship

My ideal man is a warm, caring family man, quiet and comfortable with himself. I’m attracted to a man who carries himself with independence, confidence and strength, while also being kind, emotionally secure and okay with affection.

Mutual respect is essential to me. I want to admire my partner, and I want him to appreciate me for who I am. I’m not looking to change someone, and I don’t want someone trying to change me. I believe a wonderful relationship is built by two people who accept and encourage one another while continuing to grow together.

I’d love a partner who enjoys being active, too — not necessarily a fitness fanatic, just someone who likes to move and take care of himself. And while I may occasionally enjoy a drink on a special occasion, I’m not interested in a man who is a big drinker.

Why I’m doing it this way

Being a widow has given me a wonderful sense of freedom and independence, and I’ve enjoyed that freedom, but I also feel that it’s time to move forward and open my heart to another relationship.

I wake up every morning with hope. I believe that one day I will once again experience those loving eyes, warm embraces, tenderness, laughter and the special feeling of being deeply connected to someone. For me, the Better Love series is a must-read because I still believe that beautiful love can happen again.

Maybe it’ll be with you.

Lightning round with Bella

What three movies would you take to a desert island?

“Dirty Dancing,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” “The Fifth Element”

What was the last fun outing you had?

Being on the beach and playing in the waves in the Gulf of Mexico with family.

What are you most afraid of?

Uncertainty. But I’ve learned that life doesn’t come with guarantees, and sometimes we have to embrace uncertainty rather than fear it.

What is your favourite food?

I could cook my favourite meal for you: roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. These days I mostly eat chicken or fish, potatoes and salads, but I enjoy almost every kind of food.

If you could spend the day with one celebrity, who would it be and why?

Patrick Swayze. And, of course, we would spend the day dancing together. What else would you expect from a woman who loves “Dirty Dancing”?