Too Late For Love? Relationship Goals For 2018*

*This is a collaborative post*

I was flicking through the TV stations just the other day and I came across a show I'd never watched before. Perhaps you've heard of it? First Dates Hotel? I'm not normally a huge TV fan and yet I was riveted by this particular program purely because of one couple.

Fifty two year old cat lover Vanessa and company director, fifty five year old Julian were - I suppose - the odd ones out in that they were the more mature of all the couples. Yet strangely I found them the most enjoyable to watch. Julian was a true gentleman as he wooed Vanessa who seemed a little shy at first but soon came out of her shell. Watching her get all giddy like a love struck teenager was very sweet and encouraging.

If you haven't seen First Dates Hotel then in a nutshell it features a group of singletons, all from the UK, who travel abroad to the hotel to see if they can be paired up with the love of their life. Vanessa and Julian got me thinking about how lovely it is to still find that special someone, even in later life. Often when an individual has lost a spouse or has recently divorced, it can feel daunting even just contemplating dating anyone else. There's often an assumption that life is over once you hit a certain age and so one is destined to live a life alone, yet this couldn't be further from the truth. As I say to many, age is a privilege that not everyone gets to experience. I know several people - family and friends - who would love to still be here now but sadly life had other things in mind for them. However I can tell you with certainty, if they were here they'd be telling you all to live every day as if it was your last. You shouldn't have to settle for living the rest of your days alone so don't. Who says when it's too late to fall in love? We get one shot at life and so we should live it to the full.

If you're reading this and are recently single and are pondering getting back out there on the dating scene, grab the bull by the horns and just go for it. You could even give yourself a little extra boost when you're out there by using pheromones (and, if you're wondering "what are pheromones?", you can learn more about these online) to heighten the senses of your date and make yourself even more appealing. Or if you're reading this and one of your parents is in need of some serious match-making, why not steer them in the direction of a Dating over 50 website?

Everyone deserves the chance to find love - even if it is second or third time around. But love isn't going to turn up knocking on your front door as nice as that might be. Take inspiration from Vanessa and Julian and make 2018 the year that you put yourself and your relationships first. Be brave, put yourself out there and most of all, enjoy yourself!