Growing up in India, I was raised in a family where marriage was revered, and dating was treated like a top-secret mission. No boyfriends allowed – especially for someone like me, a Generation X kid. Back then, we didn’t have the freedom that today’s kids enjoy. Our parents were far more conservative and strict when it came to dating and relationships. Dating apps were the stuff of science fiction. If you wanted to meet someone, you had to rely on fate, or maybe just bumping into each other in school. High school sweethearts were the real deal—some of my friends fell in love back then and are still together today, which is just beautiful. Of course, most of us didn’t have that kind of luck; we usually ended up with whoever our parents picked. If we did date on our own, it was like a covert mission, complete with elaborate cover stories and plenty of sneaking around. Looking back, it’s both stressful and hilariously ridiculous.

Nowadays, dating feels like a luxury with all these apps at our disposal, but at its core, love and dating haven’t changed much over the decades. Whether it was twenty years ago or today, it’s still about meeting the right person at the right time. It’s funny how sometimes it’s not about finding the perfect person but about the timing being just right. When all the stars align, and you meet someone, they suddenly feel like the right one.

So, when I found myself single five years ago, it was like jumping into a rollercoaster after being on the merry-go-round for two decades—thrilling and a bit terrifying!

Picture me trying to balance cultural traditions with a newfound approach to love while managing the challenges of this new country. I like to think of myself as a kind, sweet, and like-minded person, though my recent dates have made me question if I should have packed a survival kit along with my sense of humour.

With a strong belief in the sanctity of marriage and a sprinkle of skepticism about re-entering the dating scene, I decided to take the plunge. From spices to swipes, see what surprises awaited me. After all, if I can survive the world of dating apps and awkward first dates, surely I can help others laugh through their own journeys.

I never really did the dating thing. In high school and university, my parents picked my partner for me—like setting up a lifelong playdate. Fast forward 20 years, two kids, and a marriage that eventually fizzled out, and I was faced with the prospect of dying alone. I was almost resigned to my fate as a solo act. But then, my well-meaning friends and colleagues introduced me to a new concept: dating apps.

So, I did what any tech-illiterate person would do—I enlisted my kids to help me sign up for Hinge, Bumble, and eHarmony. Picture me asking them to explain these apps as if they were some sort of futuristic sorcery. After four years of being single, I decided to give it a shot. Over a few months, I met about a dozen guys, each one more baffling than the last. They all seemed to be interested in nothing more than casual flings, which was surprising given their age. I figured that by now, people would be looking for a real partner to grow old with, not just someone to share a Netflix password. It was a cultural shock—like stepping into the eternal teenage dating scene despite being a seasoned adult.

I got showered with flattering messages and swipes—apparently, my profile was a hit! I started treating it like my new favorite hobby. After a grueling day at work, I’d come home and dive into the dating app world like it was my personal sitcom. Chatting with potential matches became my stress-busting activity, like a virtual spa day.

But let me tell you, the dating scene was like a comedy show. I got catfished, met some really smart guys, and discovered that a surprising number of them were broke. It was like a reality check wrapped in a sitcom. They’d ask for all these amazing qualities in a partner, but when it came to offering anything in return, they had about as much to give as a broken vending machine. It’s a funny world out there—some guys need to get a reality check on their own requirements. Dating apps turned out to be a bizarre mix of entertainment and an eye-opening adventure!

I’m not sure what was tougher—politely rejecting someone after a date because we just didn’t click, or dealing with the fallout when things didn’t go anywhere. I remember one memorable date where the guy asked for my thoughts on us. I gave my honest, but polite, opinion that there wasn’t any chemistry. You’d have thought I’d told him his favorite team lost the championship! He was visibly offended and demanded feedback. He even texted me for days, despite my clear “no thanks.” Eventually, I had to block him. But guess what? He came back with a new profile, as if a fresh start would magically change my mind. It’s fascinating how some men handle rejection like mature adults, while others react as if I’d personally insulted their entire existence. Dating is definitely a mixed bag of reactions!

It’s like stepping into a mystery novel where you never quite know what’s coming next. Sure, I’ve heard plenty of stories about people meeting their soulmates through dating apps, which gives hope to those of us just starting out or feeling like we’re on the brink of giving up.

For those of us in our 40s, 50s, and 60s, the journey can be even trickier. We’ve got our habits and our ways of doing things, which makes finding someone compatible a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack. But here’s the thing—I’m not giving up, and I hope others in the same boat aren’t either. The magic might take time, but it’s out there, waiting to happen. So, let’s keep the faith and stay open to the possibilities.