None of us expected to be alone and looking for love in our 60s. We’re supposed to be the happy couples on Facebook sipping Champagne in Paris for our 30th anniversary, or walking the Camino de Santiago together.

Yet here we are, through death, divorce or plain bad luck, forming a tight-knit community of our own, upbeat and hopeful the next person who “Likes” our profile will be The One.

Though I resisted online dating as the only way to meet someone, it may be true. Saying hello in public is impossible with everyone plugged into their phone, guys at the gym appear laser-focused on their routine, guys in the produce department are on the phone to their wives and the only people I’ve met in night classes are other fabulous 60-something women.

Yet everyone knows at least one successful couple who met online. Since it’s free, and you can maintain your anonymity as long as you feel comfortable, why not give it a whirl? At the very least you’ll have stories to share with friends and something in common with nieces and nephews.

To begin, you’ll need a smiling photo of yourself. Scroll through the guys on any dating site and you’ll quickly learn how not to present yourself — with an old, blurry photo, for example, or your arms around unknown women, ex-wife? daughter? Or a selfie in the mirror or a sunset … to mirror your inner soul, perhaps? And please, dudes, ditch the dark glasses!

Though the photo of Dimitri in his undershirt didn’t inspire, I must say I was tempted by his offer to whisk me to his beach house on a Greek island, complete with organic garden. “Please take a chance on me my sweet baby,” he wrote, “I will pamper you!”

Writing a profile is the hardest part, deciding who you are and what you’re looking for in a relationship. And it’s tough to stand out when we share similar interests: “Art, music, food, travel, literature, movies and everything in between,” said Thomas. A current favourite solved that problem by writing a one-word profile: “Solid.”

It’s time to answer hundreds of inane questions so the computer can choose some likely prospects. A 96% match may mean you both hate horror movies, you’d prefer not to date someone who’s really messy and you’d rather be considered normal than weird. I’m astounded by how many men on OK Cupid agree jealousy is healthy in a relationship, and say they’d date a woman in considerable debt. Ditto the number who say they’re “absolutely” ready to settle down and get married right now. Me, I’d rather take things slowly, but it would be wonderful to feel loved again, and find a great guy to cook with and travel the world.

Sadly, within a few weeks we all become the house not sold (is there something wrong with him?) and the “Likes” slow to one every few days, usually from guys who’ve just joined the site.

Here’s the really deflating part. In my experience, about 99% of the guys who look and sound perfect will never contact you. Do not take it personally, as you have no idea what’s happening in their lives. And 99% of the guys who reach out to you won’t interest you. It may be their horrible photo, the cloying “Hello Beautiful!” messages (it’s 2019, gentlemen), or because they’re interested in “hookups” and “non-monogamy,” which make my stomach churn. And would you date a sapiosexual?

At the same time, I’ve met, in person or virtually, lovely-sounding guys from all walks of life. They’re retired engineers, speech pathologists, gemologists, diesel mechanics, Morris dancers, software developers desperate to publish their novel and an astounding number of contractors. They’re financially stable and love their toys: the cottage, two bikes, two boats! Those still working stand on the edge of the precipice wondering when to jump and what retirement will look like. They’re the most keen to find a travel partner.

When I find someone interesting online, I suggest meeting for coffee to get the chemistry part out of the way. As a friend says, it’s just coffee, you’re not getting married! She also makes sure I let someone know when and where I’m going. And be cautious handing out your cell number, which many guys ask for immediately.

Unfortunately a lot of men seem to think endless texting (scintillating comments like “How are you doing today?”) is a better way to reveal whether we’re a match. This gets boring quickly. Then there are the bullies, charming, articulate guys who come on strong and profess to know everything about you and what you want simply by reading your profile. They’re the first to disappear.

Sometimes he’s just not meant to be. I was so looking forward to running off to Italy with Jesse until we realized he’s vegan, I’m an omnivore, and he’d be severely allergic to my cat. We never met.

When you actually finagle a date, there should be no shortage of things to talk about — after all you’ve got 120 years of history between you. Be prepared to feel as nervous and excited as a teenager. As we talk, a little ping! goes off in my head when we find common ground. I even met a guy who shares my obsession with horrible Hallmark romances. But starting from scratch is hard; it takes a long, long time to know if you’re a good match. Just pray you don’t end up with a guy who prattles on without asking a single personal question. Next!

There’s something else you should know about guys in their 60s. They’re not only stubbornly set in their ways (unlike us, of course!), but you may find yourself dating his kids, grandkids, aging and ailing parents, ex-wives and even ex-girlfriends. While the sex is great, it’s sadly not as effortless as it once was: they’ve got their secret blue pills, we’ve got our favourite lubricant. At least we’re old enough to laugh about it.

Oh, and before jumping into bed you might ask if they’re still active online. One more thing? Getting dumped in your 60s hurts just as much as it did in your 20s.

Though I’m convinced there are wonderful men out there, I wish I could tell you how to find them. I do know, however, that even if you don’t meet your soul mate, your forever guy online, you may still find yourself in a Havana nightclub enjoying electrifying jazz, listening to medieval music in an ancient church, skinny dipping in a frigid river and fielding dinner invitations from other couples.

Sure beats sitting home alone watching Netflix.