Commentary: How I found my true Prince Charming

After a long marriage and a fairly amicable divorce, I decided to take a chance on love again.

I gave myself a few years to rediscover myself before taking the plunge. I knew one thing for sure: Prince Charming was never going to just show up at my door.

So how was I going to find him? Normally I am not one to take chances, but I knew I needed to explore every opportunity.

It was 1997, and I was living in Washington, D.C. At that time, it was perfectly acceptable to place an ad in the personal pages of the local newspaper, which for me was the Washington Post. Dating websites were up and running, but as a non-techie, this wasn’t an option for me.

I thought that if I wrote something clever, it would attract more attention. Timidly, I wrote my first ad using only song titles of the 1960s. It went something like this:

“As a byproduct of ‘American Bandstand,’ I would like to use the ‘oldies but goodies’ to shed some light about myself. See if you recognize the 10 song titles immersed in this message! As a Coney Island Baby growing up in New York, New York, I didn’t have to be Leader of the Pack, but I always demanded Respect. As a Teenager in Love, I’ve been known to go Dancing in the Streets. But as an adult, I’d much prefer to take a luxurious Sea Cruise. If we should ever go dancing, I hope you will Save the Last Dance for Me. If we should meet, feel free to wear your Blue Suede Shoes or tan shoes with Pink Show Laces.”

My plan backfired. I scared away all potential suitors. Probably a little too strange for the straight-laced Washington crowd.

My next ad was written from the heart. Lo and behold, I was contacted by six very lovely, interesting men, at least they seemed so on paper. I met each one at a neighborhood café, under the quizzical look of the manager. By the end of date No. 5, I was getting skeptical again.

Then came man No. 6. He was just as he described himself: kind, thoughtful, “just a regular, nice guy.” Our 20-minute coffee date turned into a three-hour conversation.

I knew he was a keeper.

We dated exclusively for several years, before I decided to retire and move to California upon the birth of my first grandchild. My beau got a transfer to Southern California, and we moved in together.

Fast forward 18 years. He has helped me through two bouts of cancer and some of my darkest days. He made me smile when I felt hopeless and gave me unlimited support and love.

He is so much more than “just a regular, nice guy.” He is my Prince Charming!

TERRI GOLDSTEIN lives in Newport Coast.