Susan welcomes Francine Russo to today's episode. She is the author of Love after 50 and They're Your Parents, Too! Armed with a Ph.D. in English literature, she became a journalist focusing on psychology, relationships, and social trends. And she's made her mark. Having cut her teeth at the late, lamented Village Voice, she's gone on to write for virtually every publication from The Atlantic to The New York Times. She covered the Boomer beat at Time magazine for over a decade, and her cover stories have appeared in Parade, Scientific American, and New York Magazine. A dynamic and polished presenter, she is in great demand as a keynote speaker

Francine has two grown children, three adult stepchildren, and six amazing grandkids (with twins on the way!) She has experienced first-hand the tremendous potential we all have to grow and transform ourselves with the people we love. She lives in New York with her partner.

Key Takeaways:

• Francine talks about her book Love After 50 and the influence that being a widow twice had on it.
• Francine shares how she started dating before being ready.
• Francine tells how her second husband was a widower and because of that, they had a special connection.
• Losing your person to death is a different experience than divorcing someone.
• Francine talks about her online dating experience as a widow.
• Francine recommends not to take a late response to your messages as a rejection.
• Your mindset has an incredible influence on your ability to find someone.
• Meet the person and talk; if you want to keep talking with that person there is a potential relationship there.
• Francine talks about the insecurities implied in dating after 50 years old.
• Intimacy after 50 doesn't necessarily mean intercourse (and for many women is actually better!).
• Trust, communication, and vulnerability are the main foundations of a relationship.
• Francine gives her suggestion for widows and widowers wanting to start online dating.
• You are much stronger than you think, take dating with perspective, be hopeful but also be realistic.

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

Meet Francine Russo

Love After 50: How to Find It, Enjoy It, and Keep It, by Francine Russo

They're Your Parents, Too!: How Siblings Can Survive Their Parents' Aging Without Driving Each Other Crazy, by Francine Russo

Follow Francine on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.