My name is Lucy, and I’m 23 years old. Like I usually do on weekends, I went to visit my mother, Phoebe. I’m her only daughter, and since my father left when I was young, she’s always been alone.

My mother, now 56, had devoted her life to raising me and had little time for herself. I always felt that, despite her age, she deserved to find companionship. So one weekend, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

We spent the afternoon at her house, where I took photos of her by the window, trying to capture the perfect shot for her new Tinder profile. The sun cast a warm glow through the window, illuminating the cozy room filled with family photos and mementos from my childhood.

“Mom, stand by the window,” I instructed, adjusting the light and asking her to pose gracefully. “Pretend you’re a cat looking out mysteriously.”

She chuckled, feeling a bit self-conscious, but followed my directions. I snapped a few pictures and then edited one to perfection.

“This is perfect for your Tinder profile,” I said, uploading it to the app. I crafted a description highlighting her warm heart, love for gardening, and her belief that love is timeless.

Photo of an old lady on a phone screen | Source: Midjourney

Phoebe was nervous but appreciative. “Thank you, Lucy. It sounds lovely.”

I reassured her that she deserved to find happiness and taught her how to use the app. We laughed about the absurdity of it all before I headed back home, hopeful for her future.

The next day at work, my friend Natalie and I were chatting over coffee in the office kitchen when she excitedly told me about our boss, Michael. “Michael’s been glued to his phone, smiling all day. I bet it’s a new romance.”

I found the idea amusing and wanted to find out more. Natalie approached Michael under the pretense of needing help with some documents, while I sneakily grabbed his phone from his desk. To my shock, I saw that he had been messaging my mother. They had even arranged a dinner date that evening.

Panic set in. I couldn’t bear the thought of my boss becoming my stepfather. I had to stop the date, so I devised a plan to delay Michael’s departure. I approached him with a faulty report, hoping he’d be too busy to leave on time. As he reviewed the errors, I accidentally spilled coffee on his laptop, causing it to malfunction.

Michael was upset, but I feigned remorse. I watched in despair as he canceled his plans, thinking I had prevented the date. I felt awful but told myself it was for the best. I later called my mother, who sounded disheartened and hinted that she might stop using the app.

That evening, I decided to come clean. I went to Michael’s office to apologize for my actions, then drove to my mother’s house with him in tow. My heart raced as I knocked on her door, unsure of what to expect.

Phoebe was stunned to see both of us. “Lucy, what’s going on?” she asked.

Michael looked confused, and I took a deep breath. “Mom, Michael is my boss. I tried to sabotage your date because I was selfish and scared. I didn’t think about how much you deserve to be happy.”

Phoebe’s expression softened as she stepped closer. “Lucy, you should have talked to me. My happiness is important too.”

Michael, now understanding the situation, nodded. “Lucy, thank you for being honest. I didn’t know Phoebe was your mother, but I’m glad you told the truth.”

Phoebe smiled gently. “If Michael can bring me happiness, then we should give it a chance.”

Michael agreed, and Phoebe invited him inside for dinner. I declined to join them, wanting them to have their time together. As the door closed behind them, I felt a surge of relief. I got into my car, feeling lighter and happier. After all, I was right—love knows no age.