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Why Dating Over 40 Is Like a Box of Chocolates

A couple dating over 40 snuggling on the couch.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, you’re probably used to seeing those big hearts filled with chocolates at every store—and everyone has their favorite candy in the box. Some like nuts; some like caramel; some like marshmallow, while others like coconut. Your favorite can be very different from someone else’s. And when you’re dating over 40, you’re going to meet a lot of people that are as varied and diverse as those chocolates.

Not sure what I mean yet? Well, let me spell it out for you.

Here are five types of people that you’ll meet while dating over 40:

The nutty chocolate
How many times have you shared your stories with friends about the nuts you’ve dated? They may have seemed all smooth and sweet on the outside, but inside they were lumpy, nutty and full of crazy ideas.

The marshmallow
This person seems so extra sweet, cuddly, and fluffy and you thought they were going to be easy-going and uncomplicated. But, oh boy, did they turn out to be sticky, needy, and impossible to get rid of.

The caramel
Just the thought of being with this person makes you want to salivate. They are oh-so-smooth and you just can’t wait for the next time you’re together. But, they can turn out to be messy.

The nougat
This person is a little tougher than the rest (not so smooth or sweet as the other chocolates in the box) but they’re textured, complex, and delicious in their own way. The only downside is that they never quite satisfy that sweet tooth, so you’re always just a little unsatisfied.

The surprise chocolate
By the time you find the surprise chocolate, you’ve experienced almost all the chocolates out there. You couldn’t tell what was inside it and weren’t sure you would like it. You took the chance, took a big bite, and wound up loving it! The one you thought wouldn’t be for you, turned out to be the best choice ever.

In the movie Forest Gump, his mother said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” I say, “Dating is like a box of chocolates. You have to taste all the flavors until you find the one you love!”

To read more of Tonia’s work and learn about her book Single and Not Settling, visit toniadecosimo.com or follower her on Twitter at @ToniaDeCosimo.

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