By Marla Martenson In The Picture of Dorian Gray , Oscar Wilde gave us a man who never appeared to age—his skin forever smooth, his charm untouched by time—while a hidden portrait quietly soaked up every wrinkle, indulgence, and consequence of real life. Dorian stays young. The painting pays the price. If only dating worked that way. As a matchmaker of over two decades— and someone who truly loves playing Cupid for a living —I often meet men in their 60s (and even 70s) who si

By Marla Martenson After more than two decades as a high‑end matchmaker, I’ve noticed a pattern that quietly sabotages even the most successful men. It’s not a lack of confidence. It’s not a lack of ambition. And it’s certainly not a lack of options. It’s unrealistic expectations around beauty . Many of the men who come to me are accomplished—leaders in their fields, financially secure, emotionally intelligent, and genuinely ready for partnership. And yet, when it comes to wh

By Marla Martenson Valentine’s Day gets a bad rap. It’s either hyper-commercialized or painfully predictable: overpriced dinners, rushed roses, and pressure to “make it special.” But love—real love—thrives in presence, creativity, and intention. So instead of booking the same crowded overpriced prix fixe dinner, why not celebrate your relationship in a way that actually feels meaningful? Here are 10 unique Valentine’s Day date ideas  that invite play, presence, and deeper co

By Marla Martenson As a high-end matchmaker of over two decades I spend a lot of time talking with single women. Smart women. Emotionally aware women. Women who want partnership — not chaos. And there’s a consistent theme that comes up in those conversations. Many women aren’t asking for perfection. They’re asking for leadership . Not dominance. Not control. Leadership. Here’s what they describe when they talk about the kind of man they want to build a life with. They Want