First, thanks for reading.

Second, every person is different, so I can’t tell you there’s a magic age when people decide they want older partners.

Some 40-year-old men might be divorced with two kids and excited to be with someone who doesn’t expect to start a family. Maybe you don’t want to date that person because he has kids. There’s more at play here than age.

Apps are great because they allow you to get specific and put it all out there. You can set the age range so it cuts off at 50 if you want. You can say you don’t have kids and don’t want them, if that’s the case. People will filter themselves out. There’s room to add information about faith, and you can be clear about what you want to do with your free time  – maybe travel, try restaurants, and experience new things. That will draw the kind of people you’re looking for.

One question for you: what about people your age? You said you used to go older and now you want younger, but what about someone who’s 53? Please don’t keep yourself from your peers. Remember, on an app, you can always swipe left and dismiss someone.

You might like like them and want to know more – but you have to know they’re there first.

– Meredith

Readers? Should this LW have an age in mind when looking for a partner? Does the age stuff matter as much as she thinks it does?