New York: Susan Gladstone's moment came when she turned 50. Divorced, with two children, she was getting tired of asking friends to find a partner for her. And so, she turned to online dating.
Two and a half years and dozens of dates later, Gladstone, an event planner in Miami, hasn't yet found her perfect soul mate.
But she's had lots of enjoyable dinner dates, met fascinating people from around the globe, and to her delight has made a number of lasting friendships.
Gladstone is part of a growing trend, people in their 50s and beyond searching the Internet for romance, companionship and sometimes even marriage.
Still, many people say that even if they haven't found true love yet, it's been worthwhile.
"I had minor back surgery recently," Gladstone says, "and I got about a half-dozen e-mails from men I'd met online, checking up on how I was! Even if I never meet my partner, I'll be happy for the wonderful friends I've made."
The main reason more mature singles are going online for love is simple: more widespread access to the Internet, hence more familiarity with online dating.
And dating sites are catering to older members. Yahoo Personals, for example, has an advice column for users over 50, with tips - on everything from etiquette to sexual health - for those whose romantic radar may be a tad rusty.
"Baby boomers are seeing their children use online dating, and watching their success at finding mates," says Rochelle Adams, spokesperson for Yahoo Personals. "They're seeing that it's not such a crazy concept."
Match.com, another large online dating site, says boomers (which it defines as ages 45-59) are its fastest growing segment - they've increased by at least 350 per cent since 2000, and now are over three million - or 22 per cent of total users.
Spokesperson Kristin Kelly says older users tend to be much clearer and more realistic about what they want, "There's no substitute for the wisdom gained with age."
Claudia Polley certainly knows what she wants. The beauty of online dating, says the 56-year-old museum consultant from Washington, DC, is that you can tell right away if someone can write well - a key test for her.
"If they can't spell, and they start out with 'Hiya!' - well, I wish them a wonderful life, but not with me," Polley said.
Of course, it's all a question of chemistry. The spark you perceived during countless e-mail chats can simply fizzle upon meeting the person in the flesh.
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