A few weeks ago, I made a post about dating as a divorced, 40-year-old quadriplegic woman. Toward the end of it, I mentioned someone special—a human who’s been in my life for nearly a year and a half now.
We made the intentional decision to keep our relationship offline for a while. Just the two of us. Quietly getting to know each other without the noise of likes, comments, or unsolicited opinions.
But now? The cat is officially out of the (adorably judgmental) bag. 🐈
MEET DAN.
Dan Gizzi and I met on Match, both of us dipping our toes into the wild world of online dating. There were zero expectations.
Dan says he was just hoping for a few good meals. I was experimenting with what dating could even look like as a divorced woman with a disability, still learning where I stood with it all.
And then… something unexpected and beautiful happened.
WHAT STARTED AS DATING TURNED INTO FRIENDSHIP—AND THEN PARTNERSHIP.
Over time, we began building a real connection. Not just as romantic partners, but as friends who truly see one another.
We are very different—and weirdly perfect for each other. Dan is calm, thoughtful, intelligent, creative, and the best kind of cheerleader. I, on the other hand, am basically an Energizer Bunny with WiFi: always talking, always building, always moving, and notoriously difficult to slow down.
He does that. Gently.
WE BALANCE EACH OTHER.
Maybe it’s because we’re not in our 20s anymore. Maybe it’s because life has shaped us. But when you find someone later in life, it’s a different kind of love.
You know who you are. You’re clearer about what you want. And you know where you can compromise—and where you won’t.
(Also helps when your partner has a chill dog and your cat eventually agrees to tolerate said dog. Major victory in interspecies diplomacy.) 🐾🐕
REAL LOVE IN ADULT LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL—AND MESSY.
We’re blending lives. Which means: caregivers, travel, scheduling, unpredictability, and a whole lot of intentional communication.
But that’s the thing about grown-up relationships (yes, I’m calling myself an adult for the moment 😆)—with really good communication, there’s always a way forward.
THANK YOU, DAN.
For being part of my world. For being my person. You show up every day with:
🔹 Kindness 💛
🔹 Steadiness 🧭
🔹 A sense of humor 😂
I can’t wait for the adventures ahead—the ones we see coming, and especially the ones we don’t. ✨🛣️
SIDEBAR: I’m ridiculously proud of Dan for stepping into his next big adventure as Managing Director at CyberGlobal | North Carolina. It’s a huge move, and while I’m cheering him on loudly, I’m also realizing—like many of us probably should—that I haven’t given nearly enough thought to how a cyberattack could mess with my own business. The good news? I now have an inside man. He just doesn’t know yet that he’s about to become my unofficial cybersecurity advisor. Surprise, Dan!
