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Original poster

To want some positive stories from women who were happily single at 32, met a great partner later, and had kids naturally?

90 replies

ShyGoldDreamer · 18/04/2025 23:24

I’ve just turned 32. I’m genuinely happy and content with my life - single but not stressed about it. I get a lot of attention but I’m not actively dating at the moment. I’m open to a relationship when the right opportunity comes along but I’m not in any rush.

That said, I know 32 is a bit of a milestone age and occasionally I wonder… should I be worried? Should I be doing more? There’s no pressure from family or friends - this is more of an internal check-in.
I’ve noticed that some women I know and meet around my age seem to be quite anxious about timelines, which has made me reflect a little - even though I’m not feeling that pressure myself.

I’d love to hear positive stories from women who were in a similar place at 32 - happily single, doing their thing - who later met a great partner, got married, and had children naturally without any issues. Did it all work out in the end?

Just looking for a bit of reassurance and inspiration really.

OP posts:
SeLHopeful2024 · 18/04/2025 23:32

Not exactly the same as I separated from my husband at 32.
I was worried this was late to start dating again, especially as I'd met my ex at 17 and had no clue about modern Internet dating etc.

Tried all the apps, had a short relationship. Ended up meeting someone from 'the real world' at 33, had a child at 37 and bought my first home at 42.

Didn't expect my timelines to be as late as they were, but wouldn't change a thing.

Greywarden · 18/04/2025 23:44

I was single when I turned 32. Met my now-DH that year. 3 years later we are married with a naturally conceived kid. It can happen. However, it entailed me taking a risk and asking now-DH out, which is something I would never ever have done in my teens or twenties. We met in the 'real world' rather than through online dating and I think I realised that the right sort of person and situation might not come round again and I had to go for it. That is just my experience though.

Addicted2Sugar · 18/04/2025 23:48

Met now husband when I was 32, moved in together, engaged and then married within 3 years.
I have to admit that first child was IVF but second was natural.

Didimum · 18/04/2025 23:48

I don’t think women should be anxious about it, but I’ve come to realise that the dating pool does shrink dramatically for the worse. I used to think it was nonsense and there were plenty of great men left to go around, but as I get older it does seem to be more apparent that the good ones get taken early and they aren’t let go.

Beamur · 18/04/2025 23:50

Met DH when I was 32. Baby at 36. Married a few years later. Met through friends, conceived naturally (but took a while)

Stardogchampion · 19/04/2025 00:04

My mum met my dad at 33, got married and then had 4 kids within the next 7 years! They've been married happily 40 years now :)

Stardogchampion · 19/04/2025 00:05

(Also should note she was very much happily single and doing her own thing before she met him)

PaddingtonBunny · 19/04/2025 00:10

I was happily single when I was 32 and having a ball - really thriving both in and out of work after a few tricky years. I met my now DH at 33, married at 34, kids (naturally) at 36, 38 and 43.
Edited to add, it’s not the end, but I’m now 53 and it’s all working out so far…

SureLook · 19/04/2025 00:11

Met my partner online at 32 and had our daughter just after I turned 35. We're engaged now and bought a house together in September. I was happily single in the sense that I had a very full life. Happy with my job, great friends and family but I also wanted to meet a decent person.

adviceneeded1990 · 19/04/2025 00:13

My best friend met her DH at 36, engaged at 37, married at 38 and had her son at 39 after two months of TTC. They are one and done but for other reasons apart from age. All worked out great.

CaptainCavey · 19/04/2025 00:14

I met DH at 35, married at 39, conceived DD naturally quickly at aged 40.

TimeForABreak4 · 19/04/2025 00:15

My cousin met her partner at 41, had her first child naturally at 43 after an easy, problem free pregnancy.

Coali · 19/04/2025 00:15

Broke up at 32 from an awful long term relationship. Met a wonderful man at 35, we bought a house a year after dating, then had a blast (holidays, theatre, galleries, concerts, just saying yes to everything). It was an amazing time of my life, had a bit more money then so we could afford to do the things we wanted. Got married three years later, had a baby 18m after that! He’s the most amazing man, we are so compatible (but not similar), share the mental, household, and financial load and love our little family. I couldn’t be happier.

SALaw · 19/04/2025 00:16

My best friend is 47 now and been married 10 years, having met her husband when she was 35. They have an 8 and a 6 year old, both conceived naturally. Also know someone who is 49 who was 40 getting married and had 2 girls conceived naturally after that.

Whywhwhy · 19/04/2025 00:18

Met my partner online at 37 after yesrs of being single. Just had my second child at 41, first at 40. Fell pregnant within 3 months each time following a miscarriage before the first. I appreciate we've been very lucky but it can happen. Definitely done now though!

Dwappy · 19/04/2025 00:18

I met my husband at 39 but sadly we were never unable to conceive even with IVF. Likely age related. But we are happy as a couple! (As long as we ignore comments about our likely lonely selfish old age)

Catlady63 · 19/04/2025 00:19

I was happily single at 32, then met a guy, had a baby at 33, we broke up.I'm a happy single parent to my 18 year old DS.

Is it more important to you to have a partner/husband or a child? Something to think about in the next few years.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/04/2025 00:20

I met a partner at 34 had a baby at 36 and broke up before baby was born.. don't rush into things just because you feel clock is ticking!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/04/2025 00:20

I also froze my eggs at 32

JellicleCat · 19/04/2025 00:38

Single at 32, in fact came out of a long term relationship of 8 years that year. was happily singe for a few years, then married at 37. Conceived naturally and had a child when I was 38.

itendswithus · 19/04/2025 00:47

Single at 32. Met my OH at 33. Had a baby at 36. 11 years later I still adore the man. Happened when I least expected it to.

blueshoes · 19/04/2025 00:48

Single at 32, made peace with being single, met dh at 33, married at 34, conceived naturally and had dd at 35 and ds at 38.

Dcs are now adults. Dh and I are still together and looking forward to planing down into retirement.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself, to think I got in under the wire.

TaupeMember · 19/04/2025 00:52

Met dh at 33, married at 34, kids at 35, 37 and 39, all conceived easily

Flowerpupp · 19/04/2025 01:02

I left my ex husband at 31 (no kids), met my partner at 32 and had our first baby at 34 and second at 36. My two children are the best thing to ever happen to me.

MMmomDD · 19/04/2025 01:04

If I were you - i’d freeze some eggs as insurance while you are still quite young. This
way you can have a bit of instance for in case.

But generally - your question is quite silly. As
it’s irrelevant how many women were single at 32 and it all worked out. Some were - and it did. And then there are others for who it didn’t.
Your life is your own, and it’s path is unknown.
It’s great you are happy and not anxious now.
It does help to be realistic about your fertility - and here is where frozen eggs come in.
At some point you’ll need to decide if you want to have kids - and whether to have them in a couple or on your own.
My OBGYN always said - if you want to have kids - it’s good to line him up a guy by 35.

So - you have time.
But it doesn’t need to be stressful.