by Alyx Simms

Created on: August 24, 2008   Last Updated: May 23, 2010

How could this be happening to me? I must have asked myself that question a thousand times. I mean, after all, Dave and I had been married for 21 years, and one day he announced he wanted a divorce. Not that it was a great surprise, after all, the spark had been gone for some time. I have always been a professional woman, so finances were not the main issue plaguing my mind. What I think I dreaded the most was developing a relationship with myself.

After we had been divorced for about a year, and I had more or less settled into my new life, I decided I had earned a little adventure. What better place to find it then the high sea's, so I began making plans and preparations for a sexy senior cruise. It's funny now to look back at my actions. I all but chanted to myself that I was NOT interested in dating anyone onboard, yet I picked many of my sexiest outfits to take along. For my age, I am still attractive with long full hair and a tiny curvaceous figure (born from working out 3 hours a week).

On my first day aboard, while sitting next to the pool, I met Paul. He was kind and easy to laugh with right from the start. He had been a widower for several years and was a regular on these cruises. After a bit of coaxing, he talked me into going to one of the speed dating clinics. Speed dating is when you spend 5 minutes with 20 different dating prospects. After the first three "dates" I finally relaxed and had the time of my life.

The entire cruise was geared towards active, senior singles having fun. We had a disco night, a casino night, tango night, and a luau. I had a different date for each event. It seemed to me that by the end of this adventure, I was eager to stand on my own two feet, make my own decisions, and enjoy making new friends. I have since joined two active single groups in my community, and I have my reservations made already for next year's voyage.

What I have discovered about myself though this experience is that I am a strong, independent woman. As this new stage of my life begins, what I call my sexy senior stage, I have embraced a whole new confidence in myself, and this confidence spills over to every other aspect of my life. I seem to stand a little taller, and walk a little prouder, simply because I choose to face my fears of building a new life. I found I was quite comfortable and yes, actually a bit fond of me.

It seems the new "me" has also attracted the attention of my now ex-husband. He has repeatedly asked me to return to him, but I honestly doubt that he would be able to keep up with me for very long; besides, I am quite simply having the time of my life.

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