The Garter Brides’ Guide to Marrying for Life When You’ve Already Got a Life.
According to the 2010 U.S census there are more than 28 million single or divorced women over 35 years old in the U.S. But if you are a single, mature woman how do you meet Mr. Right?
Learn how a small, but adventurous group of women over 35 found lasting love.
It’s all here in ‘Love for Grown-Ups.’
The authors Ann Blumenthal Jacobs, Patricia Ryan Lampl, and Tish Rabe call themselves “The Garter Brides.”
The Garter Brides Story
The first bride was Nina who said “at my age you wear a garter, but you don’t throw it”
So she gave it to Ann who wore it at her wedding six months later and Ann gave it to Pat who wore it at her wedding six months after Ann’s wedding.
Thus they named themselves the Garter Brides.
But the garter story doesn’t end there. To date, this garter has been worn by brides all over the world who are over 35 and are now also Garter Brides in good standing.
The Garter Brides say: “We wrote this book just for you.”
“If you’re single and wondering whether you’ll ever find someone to love, if you’re dating a special guy and not sure whether you should take your relationship to the next level or if you’re on the fence about going after grown-up love with all the hope and passion in your heart, the Garter Brides say, A thousand times yes! We know because did it-and we’re on a mission to show other women how.”
Before writing this book the authors actually spent two years interviewing women all over the country who married later in life. Because of this extensive research the book is chock full of field tested advice. Everything from: how to meet the right man, to joining lives and dealing with kids and family.
Some of the women interviewed in the book were never married, and some were divorced or widowed. But they all shared the common thread of marrying a little later in life. They each share their stories which I found inspiring, touching and even hysterically funny. And they also offer some excellent advice based on their real life experiences.
I personally liked the section in the book about dating. Especially the insightful ideas about all the things you need to do to meet more men. In addition to that, it was clearly explained why meeting a lot of men is so important on the journey to finding your Mr. Right.
The other thing they included in the book is how important it is to be flexible and open minded when dating. The idea being that dating after 35 is completelydifferent from when you dated in your 20′s and that flexibility comes with maturity and life’s lessons along the way.
I thought they gave sound advice about what to talk about and what not to talk about on first dates. They even cover first date jitters and how to deal with that. Plus the good, the bad and the ugly on blind dates.
The dating section of the book is quite extensive with lots of stories of how the women they interviewed met their husbands. They give very specific steps about how to take your romance to the next level. It can be tricky when you both have your own busy life and commitments to blend your individual lives together.
They answer the question as to when should you introduce him to your children and family and when you should meet his family. They even advise how to do this most effectively and keep it comfortable, instead of awkward.
The book gives a ton of insights regarding the scenarios that can and will happen when you combine households and have to deal with ‘my stuff and your stuff.’ Plus they detail out how to handle these issues so it ends up being a win/win situation.
Love for Grown-Ups even offers advice about how to deal with a difficult ex… yours or his. Some excellent guidance is offered about interacting with exes in certain situations. Like…going to graduations or the kids weddings where the ex will be attending the same events.
I think of this book as the ‘ultimate guide’ for finding love over 35. It literally answers any question a woman could possibly have about finding love a little later in life.
The garter brides cover everything from A to Z. including prenuptial agreements in addition to what to wear at your wedding and everything in between.
It not only gives solid practical advice, but it does it in a fun and entertaining style.
The most important message that I believe comes through this book is:
Never Give Up On Love.
All through the book I found it to be heartfelt, honest and informative for women marrying later in life.
At the end of the book the authors write:
“We believe every woman deserves a man in her life who will say, as Tish’s husband did when she asked him what his favorite place to be was—I’m happy wherever you are… We want that happiness for you, too!”
Congratulations Garter Brides on a job well done! It’s been my pleasure to review your book.