So now that the Golden Bachelorette has ended, and a marriage proposal has been tendered (along with a commitment to continue this Golden Bachelor franchise next season), what can we take away from this “reality” show? That your best bet for dating in your senior years is to go on a reality television program? That there’s a bevy of single possible partners just waiting out there to wine and dine you? That there’s little chance of falling in love and finding a soulmate at your age? Actually, there are not many takeaway lessons from a reality show that are applicable in real life. But there are real-life stories that can inspire and motivate you to consider getting back out there to date and even find a soulmate if that’s what you’re hoping for.

There are good reasons to think about finding a new person to love in your life, even if you previously divorced or have lost your first love. Lots of research exists that underscores the negative impact that loneliness can have on your physical and mental health. Many studies demonstrate the positive impact of a committed relationship or marriage in your later years, including the support to see each other through difficult times, the positive effects that these relationships have on staying healthy and healing when sick, and even the longevity that can accompany a marriage in your later years. In fact, Axios recently reported that one primary care clinic in Indiana has set up a speed dating service for its over-65 patient population as an antidote to loneliness and a positive step toward healthier aging.

But there are real-life stories of older couples meeting later in life who surprisingly fell in love, after previously being in long and successful marriages. For example, consider Bernard Snyder and Jo Cartwright, set up on a double date at the retirement community where they both lived. Both had lost their spouses after long marriages, and neither were necessarily looking for a new partner. Bernard is 98 and Jo is 96. As Bernard said, “When you’re married 73 years, you don’t think there’s anybody else out there that would be interested in you, and you’d be interested in them.” But fall in love they did, and they got married and are now in the process of looking for a larger space so they can live together with their possessions.

Or, consider a new docuseries about to premiere on Netflix: It’s called “The Later Daters” (watch the trailer here). This 8-part series begins on November 29th. The show features 6 single older individuals (ages 56-71) whose dating experiences- the ups, downs, anxieties, and possibilities- mirror real life in ways that the Golden Bachelor series did not. Family members weigh in and each ‘dater” benefits from the advice and support of dating coach Logan Ury, author of the book How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love. Michelle Obama is one of the producers of the show, and the advance word is that the show is unscripted, more “real,” but nonetheless entertaining. To find out more, grab your remote and click here.

Finally, if you do want to try to meet someone new, and are willing to go the route of dating websites or apps, the National Council on Aging just reviewed a slew of dating sites intended for older adults, including free dating apps tested by experts. If you’re ready to sign up, take a look at their reviews for eHarmony, Silver Singles, Senior Match, Our Time, and Match. Wishing all of you daters the best of luck, and leaving you with advice from Mark Twain: “When you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain.”