This episode dives explores the complexities, challenges and beauty of dating a widow or widower. We'll meet Megan Steen and hear her story of finding love  with a widower she met at work. We explore the foundation of building a new relationship while acknowledging and honoring the memory of the one who is gone, as well as tackling the sensitive topic of being invited into the family's grief journey. You'll hear valuable advice on navigating these dynamics, along with resources like therapy and books to support both partners. The episode wraps up with interesting statistics on widowers and widowers, dispelling the myth that they are "undateable." Finally, excerpts from a poignant poem on grief add a reflective touch.  We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show – leave your comments and feedback below! 
 
Originally from Northern California, Megan Steen lives in Orange County with her husband and two energetic toddlers. A lifelong sports fan, she roots for the San Francisco teams. Building a successful career in enterprise technology, Megan rose from an office assistant to Director of Growth Marketing at Quest Software, now leading a global marketing team. She values personal connections and enjoys hosting vision board parties and brunches. Finding peace in nature, Megan loves beach walks, the fresh air of Lake Tahoe, and the beauty of Big Sur. To share her wisdom, Megan writes heartfelt letters filled with life lessons to her niece. 

In this episode: 

• Intro and background - Megan Steen 





• Foundations - meeting and building a relationship 





• Acknowledging and honoring the one who is gone 





• Being invited to experience grief with the family 





• Accessing help and resources - therapy, books 





• Moving in together 





• Interesting stats on widows and widowers 





• Advice on getting involved with a widow or widower 





• Widowers should not be viewed as “undateable” 





• A poem on grief 





• You are an ‘addition’ not a ‘replacement’ for that person who is gone 





• The game - “You Know You’re Old When….’ 





• Send me your comments and feedback on the show! 

ThirtyFiveSixtyFour is your weekly dose of inspiration for navigating the exciting, unpredictable, and undeniably transformative journey of midlife. Hosted by Karen Stones, founder of 13 Jacks Marketing Agency, avoids the tired cliches of crisis and stagnation. This podcast celebrates the power of play, discovery, and possibility that comes with this unique chapter in life. Join us every week as we delve into the real stories, challenges, and triumphs of midlife. We'll explore fresh perspectives, practical tips, and inspiring experiences that will help you thrive, not just survive, during this pivotal time. Ready to rewrite your midlife narrative? Head over to ThirtyfiveSixtyfour.com and be a part of the adventure! 

Resources: 

Megan’s Blog: With Love Aunt Megs 

Blog Post - Grief From the Perspective of a Widow’s Partner  

Brene Brown TED talk 

Book: The Gift of Imperfection 

Book: It’s Ok That You’re Not Ok  

Book: Experiencing Grief