Hear Us Roar

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a woman who wants her happily ever after. I certainly did. After 21 years as a single mom, I can say with confidence that it’s perfectly okay to want someone to grow old with. I’ve spent years being strong, independent, and carrying both the emotional and financial weight of raising my son on my own—and I’m proud of that.

But there comes a time when you crave more than just strength. You yearn for love, cherished moments, and genuine care. You want to soften, be treated like royalty, and share life with someone who truly sees you. Let me be clear: wanting to grow old with someone doesn’t mean I’m unhappy or unfulfilled on my own. In fact, I’m content and at peace with myself. I’m not afraid of being alone or growing old alone. However, having been single for nearly half my life, I’m now ready to share my life with someone who’s the perfect match for me.

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My husband didn’t rescue me at age 51; he entered my life to love me the way a woman deserves. Having a husband or partner doesn’t diminish my strength or capabilities as a woman. Choosing to grow old and love someone doesn’t mean I’m unhappy being single or alone; it simply means I want to share life’s experiences with a partner who’s my equal. 

I’ve fought my battles alone for a long time. Now, I’m in a place where I welcome love—I want a partner, my own version of a knight in shining armor, not to save me, but to stand beside me. Because I believe in love, in partnership, and in happily ever after.

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Being a single mom for 21 years taught me that I’m a strong, independent woman who raised a child to the best of my abilities. Watching my son grow into a strong, kind, independent, loving, and caring young man fills me with joy, knowing I did something right raising him.  Of course, he’s not perfect, making mistakes just like I did at his age.  However, knowing he’s a better 27-year-old than I ever was brings me peace. He worked diligently on his own to complete his degree and graduated with honours.  Now, he’s a thriving software engineer at the same company, having been there for nearly four years.  He enjoys sports and maintains an active, healthy lifestyle, living independently.

Since the CBK and JFK Jr. “Love Story” series is trending, my son asked me, “Mom, what were you like in the 90s?” My response: “In my 20s, during the 90s, I experienced significant, non-linear growth. It was a decade of self-discovery, filled with both failures and pivotal decisions. I was bold and brave, but also lost and lonely at times. I mostly kept to myself, avoiding parties and not being much of a social butterfly. My life was mostly confined to work and home. I was always obsessively searching for truth, chasing my dreams, working hard, and truly living. Suffice it to say, I failed a lot, but most importantly, I learned a lot. The best part of the 90s for me was receiving my most precious gift in 1998 – my only son.” As a single mom in my 30s and 40s during the 2000s, I balanced raising my son alone with a demanding job as an executive assistant to CEOs in various industries.

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Now in my mid-50s, I’ve found a truly peaceful and fulfilling time in my life. I’m content and happy, having reached a powerful milestone: I’m in my “second youth” or the prime of my life.  This phase blends hard-won wisdom with the freedom to live authentically. I’m still extremely choosy about the people I surround myself with. I do not go to social events or parties. I still prefer to keep my circle exclusive and small. I still make mistakes occasionally, but I’ve embraced my imperfections.  At this age, I’m no longer obsessed with finding the truth — I’ve learned to allow the Universe and God to take its course. This is my time to express myself freely, let go of the need to please others, and celebrate the diverse experiences that have shaped me. 

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As an independent career woman for nearly half my life, I’ve come to understand that a strong woman is defined by internal resilience, confidence, and integrity, not just by external success.  On my own, I developed key characteristics, including high self-worth, emotional intelligence, firm boundaries, resilience in failure, authenticity, nurturing others, and continuous personal growth.  I genuinely believe these qualities empower women to transform pressure into power and navigate life with purpose.

I’d like to share the following key traits I’ve learned from being an independent woman:

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Unwavering Self-Worth: She does not rely on external validation to know her value and does not let others’ opinions dictate her worth.

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Resilience and Adaptability: She bounces back from setbacks, viewing failure as a temporary state and an opportunity to grow rather than a reason to quit.

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Emotional Intelligence and Courage: She is not afraid of her emotions, allowing herself to feel and process them constructively rather than using them to attack or escape.

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Firm Boundaries and Self-Respect: She protects her peace, acts with integrity, and is comfortable asserting herself, saying “no” to protect her time and energy.

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Authenticity and Self-Awareness: She knows who she is, embracing her strengths and weaknesses, and acts in accordance with her values.

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Empowers Others (Lifts Others Up): A strong woman does not feel threatened by others’ success; she builds others up and supports her community.

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Optimistic and Growth-Oriented: She maintains a positive, forward-thinking outlook, actively seeking personal development and continuous learning.

As women, regardless of our life stage—young, old, single, divorced, widowed, or married—we are a force to be reckoned with. Our presence leaves an indelible mark on the world around us. Hear us roar!