Nomadic Nurse Diaries

Dear Rom-Com Scriptwriters of My Life,

Well, here’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming: me, Miss Fiercely Independent, getting involved with someone I met through a random Hipcamp stay. I was expecting a quiet place to park my van, maybe a few peaceful nights by a campfire, and instead, I met someone—a tall, sarcastic, 40-something veteran who’s working through his own PTSD in an equine therapy program. The age gap wasn’t something I went looking for, but honestly? It’s probably one of the best surprises I’ve had.

What drew me in was the banter. This guy can keep up with my sarcasm and, let’s face it, that’s not easy. He’s got this steady, grounded energy that makes my free-spirited chaos feel almost…calm. And he’s into things that resonate with me: homesteading, camping, the simple life. And while I’ve always been the first to dip out if things don’t feel right, I’m surprised to find myself sticking around. Maybe there’s something about dating someone who’s already figured himself out that makes me want to stick around a little longer.

Now, don’t get me wrong—dating an older guy has its quirks. For one, he’ll toss out movie references that fly right over my head, and his idea of “settling down” is a little more literal than mine. Sometimes his steady pace contrasts with my own free spirit, which has spent a lifetime avoiding settling down, but surprisingly, our differences complement each other more than they clash. It’s almost as if his calm is exactly what my life’s been missing.

And I’ll say it: there’s a big appeal in not dating a man-child. No offense to my younger friends, but not having to deal with someone who’s still figuring out basic respect or life goals is… refreshing. He knows who he is, respects women, and has zero need for drama or games. Dating someone older means I’m not the “mature one” holding things together, and for once, I feel like I can just be myself without worrying if it’s too much or not enough.

So here I am, laughing at the irony of my perpetual singleness interrupted by someone who actually seems worth sticking around for. Maybe I’ll even stop dodging his movie references one of these days. Or maybe not. Either way, this “older guy” plot twist is one I’m happy to see where it leads.

Until the next unexpected adventure,
— Your banter-loving, commitment-skeptical Nomadic Nurse