That was Then, This is Now: 6 Ways Dating Has Changed From Our Teen Years

Remember when an upcoming date held heart-palpitating excitement?

Who would go with you to a movie, to the homecoming dance, to the prom? What would you wear? Would you hear bells at that first kiss? Was this person going to be "the one?"

Every date could lead you to that breathless kiss, or going steady, or losing your virginity, or even eventual engagement to the one perfect person who would make your life unbelievably happy, fulfilled, and complete. For a young person beginning the courtship process, there's nothing more exciting than a first date.

If you're like many Boomers today, your expectations have changed, as probably have your dating goals. Instead of looking for Mr. or Ms. Right, you're looking for Mr. No-Sexually-Transmitted-Disease-with-No-Police-Record, or Ms. Lack-of-Excessive-Baggage-and-No-Homicidal-Ex. In this article, I'll take a look at how things used to be, how things have changed, and how in many ways they haven't changed, in the world of new-millennium, post-divorce Boomer dating.

Expectations change ... or do they?

This wasn't your original intention, to be 40- or 50- or 60-something and find yourself back "on the scene," "in the market," or whatever the current phrase is for being divorced or widowed and facing the search for a prospective life partner again.

You expected your first marriage to be your only marriage. And the rude awakening that it wasn't to be was tough enough to swallow, let alone the prospect of baring your life and vulnerabilities, scars and all, to a stranger.

The truth is your expectations probably haven't changed as much as they have been lowered. Expectations, preparation, anticipation, the first kiss, questions you ask, your post-date concerns are just six areas where things have most likely changed since you were last dating.

Your teenage expectations for "The One"

Ladies and gentlemen, behind Door Number One you'll find Bachelor/ette Number One, complete with ski chalet in St. Moritz and enough time and money to whisk you off in a private jet at a moment's notice.