Real People Talking About Real Love

Are Women or Men Happier Single?

Haley Lawrence, Director of Listen to Your Mother-Indy, sets her sights on love in the weeks before Valentine’s Day. She is bringing her newest production, LoveNotes!, to Indianapolis.

It is a unique show of memoir and music. LoveNotes! Indy presents true stories of love, from first loves to final loves, and the heartwarming, humorous, and hopeful stories in between. The show is based on Heather Christie’s bestselling book, LoveNotes! with music performed by MAR.S (@theemarrialle). The cast includes Indianapolis’ best storytellers sharing their experiences in the love zone.

The show is at 7:30 p.m., Friday, January 31 at Indiana Landmarks, 1201 S. Central Avenue, Indianapolis, 46202. Tickets are available: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lovenotes-an-evening-of-americas-best-true-love-stories-songs-tickets-1112235138239?aff=oddtdtcreator

Audiences can watch a livestream of the show from anywhere for $15.

Purchase the live stream through this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lovenotes-indy-live-stream-tickets-1146640084359?aff=oddtdtcreator

I also have a pair of tickets for a reader of Older, Better & Better! These are for the live show in Indianapolis. Let me know in the comment section below if you want to experience LoveNotes! Indy—and if you are the first comment interested; the 2 tickets are yours.

A portion of the proceeds from LoveNotes! Indy benefits Soroptimist Indy Metro. It is the local club of a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to education and training needed to achieve economic empowerment. Both Haley and I are members of SI- Indy Metro Learn more here: www.soroptimist.org

Happy Single Men v. Happy Single Women

Since we are on the subject of love and Valentine’s Day is upon us, where are Older, Bolder & Better! readers on dating, mating, or being happier alone? A recent headline from a University of Toronto study of 6,000 single men and women ignited many discussions. “In Every Way, Women Were Happier Than Men with Their Single Lives,” it read. On every question asked in the study, single women were more comfortable than single men with their single lives. Based on the well-being outcomes, women desired a partner less than men. The average age of this study was mid-30s with outliers in their fifties and sixties.

There is an outdated notion of a sad lonely cat lady pining for a man because they don’t want to be alone or they are needy for the financial security a man is expected to provide. The researchers focused on four well-being outcomes with participants:

1) How satisfied people were with their current relationship status

2) How satisfied were people with their overall life

3) How sexually fulfilled the respondents were

4) How much did the respondents desire to be in a relationship

The researchers studied age and ethnicity based on gender. They found single men 40+ were happier than younger single men. Single Black women had a higher desire for a partner than other races. Elaine Hoan, a primary researcher in the study, noted “Women may be more satisfied with their single lives because they usually have bigger social networks to rely on for support.” The research also confirmed women had increasing financial independence, meaning income as a traditional advantage in a partnership is not as important as it used to be. Hoan says, “If a woman wants to stay single, you may be happier for it.”

“Everybody wants love, but everybody is afraid of love” lyrics from Bobby Womack, “That’s the Way I Feel About Cha” 1972.

I would be interested in your experiences about single life, love, and dating in the comments. If you’ve been married a while, how do you make it work? There will be more posts about relationships and partnering throughout the year.

Enjoy Valentine’s Day 2025. Love Yourself! Kerri Shaver on Unsplash