Forty Is Not the End of the Story – It’s the Beginning of a True Tale

After many years of loneliness and a few failed attempts at love, I began to think that a good story was something you only see in movies. Forty was approaching fast, and I was still looking for someone who would understand my weariness with life and appreciate the simple moments. I didn’t expect everything to change through the internet, but that’s exactly what happened — thanks to the website justfories.com, I met Kendra.

Kendra made me laugh right away. Her sense of humor was like fresh air. She wasn’t pretentious or overly serious. On the contrary — she had such lightness and distance from the world that every meeting with her was a breath of joy.

One summer afternoon, we arranged to play mini-golf. I wasn’t sure if it was the best idea for a first date, but Kendra insisted, saying, “It will be fun, and if you lose, I’ll choose the dessert!” How could I say no?

When we stood at the first obstacle, I already knew it would be an evening full of laughter. Kendra started with a joke:

- Hank, if you get the ball in the hole on the first try, I promise I won’t comment on your game all evening.

I looked at her in disbelief, and she added with a wide smile:

- But if you miss, you’ll have to explain yourself… unless you prefer to make up funny stories about your failed shots!

I didn’t have time to answer because she was already trying to hit the ball. Of course, ironically, she hit the obstacle, and her face was so funny that I couldn’t stop laughing.

- Okay, now I get to choose the dessert - I said, not expecting she would pick ice cream with chocolate sprinkles, which melted at lightning speed.

We laughed so much that several times we almost forgot about the next holes. Kendra had something extraordinary — she could make even simple things take on color and meaning.

Between shots and jokes, I got to know her more and more. She talked about her passions, dreams, but also about disappointments that hadn’t turned her into a bitter woman. On the contrary — she was more open, full of life, and ready for new beginnings.

- You know, Hank - she said suddenly, looking at me with a sparkle in her eye — after forty, life starts anew. There’s no room for pretending or playing roles anymore. There’s only the truth. And the truth is that I want more moments like this — with you, laughter, and ice cream that will melt anyway.

That was the moment I felt everything starting to fall into place. There was no longer fear that another attempt would fail. Kendra showed me that sometimes a little lightness and honesty are enough to find happiness.

At the end of the evening, as we were getting ready to leave, I gently took her hand. Her touch was warm and sure - the kind that said, “We’re on the right path.”

- So, shall we do this again? - I asked, and she laughed broadly:

- If you’re ready to lose to me at mini-golf once more, I’d love to!

And I thought to myself that forty really isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of something real, something worth waiting for.