Falling in love takes a leap of faith. When you meet someone new, putting your heart in their hands requires trust, and just a little bravery.
In 2016, when Tracy Hall first downloaded a dating app, Happn, she wasn’t feeling particularly courageous. She was 40, newly single and trying to imagine what her life would look like post-divorce. Tracy and her daughter, Asha, then six, lived near the beach, where Tracy loved to unwind from her demanding marketing job by running along the shoreline or plunging into the ocean. She is, she says, a positive person, and so when the Romeos on the dating app slung her profane pics or described themselves as “married but looking for other opportunities” they were fodder for stories to make her friends laugh, rather than a cause for genuine despair.
“I have an optimism bias. I just think the best of everyone,” she says.
Yet, after she laughed off her disappointments over cocktails, she couldn’t deny the sting of loneliness she felt when her friends went home to their husbands.
“When you go into the dating apps, you have to open yourself up,” she says. “I say to my daughter, if you go into every situation just looking for the red flags, love and kindness can’t actually exist in that world.” But she was still careful. Or so she thought.
Max Tavita had platinum blond hair, a career in finance, a swanky flat and had just returned from a 16-year stretch working in New York, via a brief stint in London. He wasn’t the first promising prospect, but he quickly became Tracy’s favourite. Despite his flash credentials, he struck her as humble and attentive.
This story is from the May 2024 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2024 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How to boost the value of your home
Whether you're looking to sell now or later down the track, it really pays to keep your house up to date.
The magic of manifesting
While it sounds woo-woo, putting your mind to what you want might be the key to turning your dreams into reality.
A quiet killer
Difficult to detect, ovarian cancer is silently taking the lives of women. Here's what you need to know.
Air fryer snacks
The air fryer makes cooking so simple. From healthier versions of fried favourites to baked treats, these easy recipes are made to enjoy!
The billiondollar world of astrology
Astrology is back. Celebrities won't make a move without consulting their charts and everyone knows someone who's retraining as an astrologer. The Weekly investigates the current fascination with the stars.
The shape shifters
Contouring with make-up is a clever hack for instant facial definition.
"I'm a professional baby cuddler!"
When Jenny Summerson’s own children grew up, she looked for something to fill the hole in her life. What she found were babies who needed a little extra TLC.
Princess Catherine THE REALITY OF A NEW NORMAL
After the hardest year of her life and as she finds her footing in a post-treatment world, the dutiful princess could be preparing for her ultimate role- but this time it's on her terms.
Put it in neutral
Far from middle of the road, neutral tones can really add interest and sophistication to your home. Here's how to nail it.
QUEEN OF COMEDY The Marvellous Ms Margolyes
Speaking her truth in a delightfully wicked and candid manner we've come to cherish, British actress Miriam is now telling the world how she has fallen in love with New Zealand.