I need to set my mom up

[Anonymous]

My mom just turned 55 and is getting pretty down about not being able to find a life partner. She also lives in Denver, so it's a little hard for me to help her while I'm here. She's doing online dating, but haven't been able to find a man who would share her passions and interests. She wants someone who is in good health, who enjoys hiking and traveling. The men she's been meeting online can barely move, and those that can prefer to stay home and watch TV (her description). I was thinking of trying to find someone in this area and perhaps they could get to know each other over the phone/internet and then if it worked out, she'd look for a job here and eventually move. I would love to have my mom close; I just hate to see her be depressed, especially during the holiday season. She is in great shape, good looking, funny and sarcastic -- tells it how it is. Very smart and opinionated. She was born in Central Asia (not Asian) and grew up in Russia. She's been in US for about 15 years now. Anyway, I'm probably all over the place with this and thought I'd give it a try here as all of you are always full of suggestions and ideas. Do you have anyone to set my Mom with?

[Anonymous]

it was a long time ago, but my mom met my stepfather through the 'classical music lovers exchange,' which is a dating service. Not necessarily suggesting that one for your mom, but I think the idea of it was to capture 'cultured' people looking for like minds. Sort of elitist compared to match.com where you have to provide your picture and your waist size, IYKWIM. Your mom is going to have a harder time at her age because men her age or even a little older will generally go for a 40 or 45 year old "twinkie" rather than a somewhat older woman. She needs to look in places where she will more readily find people with shared interests, rather than competing on her basic stats just to get a foot in the door. Good luck and I hope she finds someone. I am so thankful my mom found my step-dad, even if she wants to wring his neck sometimes!

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I don't know anyone specifically for your mom. However, my mom met her current bf at a local community center geared towards retirees (ages 55 - 70 or so, not really seniors). She didn't go there looking for a man, but there are a ton of widowers and divorcees. The center plans trips and outings to theatres, concerts, museums, overnight trips to other cities and even plans an annual trip overseas. I think my mom's social life is more active than mine. Does your mom's area have anything similar?

[Anonymous]

My dad met his girlfriend (who I hate, but it's not about me -- she makes him happy) at a wine tasting or something! They share a passion! They also have a mutual friend who does these mixers for 50 and 60 somethings here in the DC area and I know he met his previous lady friend through one of those.

I don't know if they have anything like that in Denver, but I do know the online dating scene can be rough. I met DH online, but it was a happy coincidence.

[Anonymous]

OP here. She belongs to a hiking club -- no luck there. The "senior" club has all women and maybe one or two men (per my mom). I believe that she has given up on online dating and is now hoping to meet someone through a friend or a relative. I was just trying to see that perhaps someone here has a friend or a relative in the same boat that would be interested in meeting my Mom.