Summer of Love… or Summer of Divorcees?

There’s something about summer that makes us all a little more open—about life, love, and what’s possible. It’s the season of sunset dates, weekend getaways, drinks on patios, concerts under the stars, and that person you meet on vacation who suddenly seems much more interesting because you’re tan, relaxed, and a world away from your normal routine. But what happens when you’re divorced and dating? Welcome to the Summer of Divorcees.

So, how’s it really going for you?

Maybe you met someone this summer. Someone who surprised you. You weren’t looking for anything serious, and suddenly you’re checking your phone, smiling at texts and wondering when you’ll see them again. Or maybe you decided this was going to be your summer to finally get back out there. You downloaded the apps, agreed to the blind date, gave someone your number, or finally said yes to that person who has been asking you out. And now you have stories. So many stories.

Dating after divorce is nothing like dating at 25. Now, we’re juggling careers, kids, exes, busy schedules, responsibilities, standards, and the opinions of people who care about us. Hopefully, we’ve also learned more about ourselves—what we want, and maybe even more importantly, what we don’t. Red flags are easier to spot now, but let’s be honest, sometimes we still squint and pretend they’re just a shade of dark pink. We’re all works in progress, still figuring it out as we go.

And then there’s the question: does every summer romance have to turn into something serious? Maybe not. Maybe this summer is just about having fun—flirting, going on dates, meeting new people, buying the dress, wearing the swimsuit, staying out too late, kissing someone just because it feels right. Not because you’re already wondering if they could be your next spouse, but because you’re living in the moment. After divorce, there’s something liberating about realizing you don’t have to know where every story is headed. Sometimes, it’s okay to just enjoy where you are right now.

And let’s not pretend the dating apps don’t make things… interesting. If you’re dating after divorce, you’ve probably spent more time than you’d like to admit staring at your phone, wondering, Is this really how it works now? There’s ghosting, breadcrumbing, benching, situationships, and people who text forever but never actually make plans. Then there are the profiles looking for “something real”—but their idea of real is definitely not yours. Dating apps can be entertaining, exhausting, hilarious, and absolutely ridiculous—sometimes all before lunch.

And then, every once in a while, you meet someone who reminds you why you haven’t deleted the apps. Yet.

Summer also has a funny way of bringing people back into your orbit. The old flame. The almost-relationship. The person you dated months ago who pops up with that infamous two-word text: Hey stranger. Two words that can cause an unreasonable amount of chaos. Sometimes you reconnect because the timing really is better. Sometimes you give it another shot and remember instantly why it didn’t work the first time. And sometimes, you look at the message, laugh, and think, Not a chance. That, friends, is what growth looks like.

But maybe your Summer of Divorcees has absolutely nothing to do with dating. Maybe you’re finally enjoying your own life. You’re traveling with friends, spending time with your kids, sitting by the pool, going to dinner alone without feeling uncomfortable, trying something new or reconnecting with people you lost touch with during your marriage.

Maybe you’re building a life that finally feels like yours again.

There’s something powerful about getting to the point where being single doesn’t feel like you’re in limbo. You stop seeing your life as something on pause, waiting for the right person to show up. You realize this is your life, right now, and it can be full, fun, messy, exciting, and meaningful—with or without someone beside you.

So, really—how’s your summer going? Are you falling in love? Having a fling? Swiping left until your thumb hurts? Deleting the apps (again)? Reconnecting with someone you thought was long gone? Recovering from another dating disaster? Or just sitting by the pool with a cold drink, thinking, I’m actually okay right here.

There’s no one right way to do this Summer of Divorcees thing. Love might show up. Lust might show up. Your ex might, too. Someone you thought you were finished with could reappear out of nowhere. Or maybe, the person who shows up this summer is you—a happier, stronger, more confident you who finally understands that life after divorce isn’t just about finding love again. It’s about deciding what you want your life to look like now.

So here’s to the Summer of Love… or the Summer of Divorcees. Here’s to the good dates, the awkward ones, the butterflies, the red flags, the unexpected texts, the second chances, and the stories you’ll be laughing about with friends over cocktails for years.

Most importantly, here’s to enjoying the summer you’re actually having—instead of waiting for someone else to arrive and make it memorable.

Because maybe the best love story after divorce isn’t about who you meet next.

Maybe it’s about realizing your life is already pretty great—and anyone who joins you should only add more to it, not complete it.