Looking for better love: 72-year-old social butterfly seeks younger man for life of adventure

Gender: Female

Age: 72

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

At the age of 25, I vowed to live a life of no regrets as I left a promising career at IBM and everything familiar behind for a one-way ticket to London, England, for a year of solo travel. Planning is not my forte, as it took 30 years to return to Toronto.

Travelling on my own (with no GPS, cell phone or internet) for 45-plus years has always been full of adventure. I say I was born with a computer in my pocket because I literally played a golf game on a teletype terminal in 1971 and switched my major from accounting to business computing. My claim to fame is pissing off Bill Gates when he was still a skinny nerd in 1983 and I was his customer. I have repeatedly been a pioneer in the tech world and met my now ex-husband online in 1999 at the dawn of online dating, when there were only two dating sites.

Now, I’m settled back in Toronto and am pretty much retired, except for facilitating one life design class at a local university. I often have to persuade people I’m really in my 70s, so I really do have a youthful appearance — and I usually like to date younger.

Until I was 20 and left home, I was almost mute with shyness. Then I became the social butterfly that I am today. My favourite things are laughing and having fun. I live for new experiences and feel joy and gratitude each day no matter where I am in the world. I have a zest for life and a contagious enthusiasm that I share with my students, friends and family.

I have no comfort zone because I’ve put myself in so many uncomfortable places that I know I will survive whatever life throws at me. I’m geographically challenged and can get lost in a hallway, never mind the red-light district in Amsterdam or the backstreets of a Cuban city — but I will always get to where I want to go. Determination and persistence are key parts of my personality. I will go anywhere I’ve never been before in a heartbeat, but it would be nice to share some trips with someone special.

My dating history

I’m a serial monogamist and have been divorced for 17 years now. Through therapy, I have resolved my past trauma issues and now have little emotional baggage and lots of emotional freedom in my life.

What I’m looking for in a relationship

I’d love a deep connection with a guy who shares my enthusiasm for a full life — someone not too sporty who loves to read, play games, have fun and laugh together. I’d love to have someone to share deep conversations with and to care for each other without being joined at the hip 24/7. It would be nice to have someone to go to the theatre with, as well as comedy shows, movies, dinners out — whatever.

I’m not much of a night owl or drinker, so someone whose idea of a good time involves bars with loud music or watching sports is not a good match. Also, my kids have four paws and I’m a devoted dog mom of many decades, so if you don’t like pups, that’s a big dealbreaker.

Why I’m doing it this way

I’ve dated on and off over the years and have responded to a couple of the Better Love stories, but the men were taken so quickly.

Now, I’m putting my story out there to discover my own happy ending. Want to join me for the adventure?

Lightning round with Patti

What three movies would you take to a desert island?

“Love Actually,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and “Patch Adams.”

What was the last fun outing you had?

Seeing the Comic Strippers, a male stripper parody and improv comedy show. Not too sexy, but very funny. I love improv.

What are you most afraid of?

Dying too early with too much money in my accounts.

What is your favourite food?

Factor meals, ready in two minutes! I’m treating myself to no grocery shopping, prepping or cooking dinners.

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

Mel Robbins because she’s met and interviewed so many interesting people and read so many books that resonate with me. She’s a work in progress, just like me. We’d laugh a lot and probably cry together, too.