My mom devoted everything to raising me. After my dad disappeared, she became my rock, the one person always by my side. I wanted to do something truly special for her, so I thought a dating app might help her find love. But I was in for a huge surprise when I discovered who she was planning to date!

I’m Lucy, and I’m 23 years old. Like every weekend, I spent time at my mother Phoebe’s house.

I’m her only child, and she doesn’t have anyone else. My father left us when I was quite young, and since then, my mother has been on her own.

She made me her top priority, and with all the dedication she had for me, she never allocated time for her personal life. Being 56 now, finding a partner isn’t easy for her, but I held onto hope in helping her.

At her place, I stood with my phone in hand, taking pictures of her and guiding her on how to pose.

The afternoon sun bathed the room in its warmth. The living room felt homely, adorned with photos and tokens from my childhood.

“Mom, move closer to the window,” I directed, eager to capture the right light. “No, not like that, think elegance, like a cat.”

“A cat? At my age, Lucy?” she said shyly, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink.

“It’s never too late to feel feminine. Trust me. And don’t look at the camera. Imagine you’re gazing thoughtfully out the window…”

Phoebe hesitated but followed my instructions, standing near the window with a slight bend to her head, presenting a gentle, contemplative look.

“Perfect… Hold that position… Got it!” I declared, snapping the photo. I shared it with her excitedly. “See? You look stunning, Mom!”

She looked at the photo, and a small smile emerged. “You really think so?”

“Without a doubt! This is ideal for your Tinder profile,” I reassured her while enhancing the photo slightly before posting it.

“Dear, are you sure this is wise? I’m no longer young; who would seek me out here…” she doubted aloud.

“Mom! Don’t speak that way about yourself. Life doesn’t cease after fifty! Love doesn’t recognize age!” I stated earnestly, ensuring she heard my sincerity. “You deserve happiness too.”

With that, we collaborated on adding a description to her profile. We laughed while trying to pin down the perfect words to express her big heart, love for gardening, and cooking enthusiasm.

“How about this: ‘Devoted mother and passionate gardener seeking someone to share laughter and delicious meals. Believes love is timeless and life brims with surprises.’ What do you think?” I proposed.

Phoebe chuckled softly. “It sounds delightful, Lucy. Thank you for this.”

“Of course, Mom. You deserve to find someone wonderful,” I said, embracing her. “Now, let me show you how the app works.”

After a brief lesson on swiping left or right, I was assured she was ready to embark on her online dating journey.

We laughed one final time over the absurdity before bidding farewell. I left full of hope for her future.

The next morning, I reached the office. The day began with coffee and gossip with my friend Natalie.

The kitchen buzzed with early morning conversations. We grabbed our coffees and sat at a secluded table. The smell of freshly brewed coffee enveloped us, bringing a comforting start to our day.

Natalie leaned in, her eyes brimming with excitement. “Lucy, you won’t believe it. Michael, our boss, has been glued to his phone with a smile all day.”

I was intrigued by her news.

“Michael? Smiling? What’s gotten into him?”

Natalie beamed, bursting with enthusiasm. “A woman. I swear it’s got to be. That’s the only explanation. Michael is always about work and never that cheerful. But today, he’s acting like a teenager in love.”

Imagining Michael, our work-driven boss, with someone was amusing. We’d never seen such behavior from him before.

“We must find out who it is!” I declared, now curious myself.

We crafted a plan. Natalie approached Michael with a stack of paperwork. “Michael, could you glance over this? I’m having trouble locating last week’s report,” she said, theatrically feigning confusion.

Michael sighed and reluctantly set his phone down. “Natalie, you’ve been here for ages. Let me take a look,” he replied, accepting the papers.

When he was preoccupied, I discreetly retrieved his phone. My heart pounded with uncertainty over what I’d find. But the revelation floored me.

It was my mother! They’d been exchanging messages since the previous night. Panic enveloped me as I scanned their dialogue.

They were meeting for dinner at Mom’s place that evening. Dread took hold. “This can’t be happening!” I thought desperately.

Why Michael, Mom? The thought of having my boss as a stepfather was too awkward. This meeting had to be stopped.

When Natalie rejoined me, she immediately inquired, “So, who is it? Know her?”

I forced a smile, lying, “Just some woman. Nothing special.” Internally, I was panicking. I had to devise a plan to block Michael from going on that date. If he went, it’d ruin everything. My mind raced with options.

As the day wound down, Michael was hurrying to finish his tasks—a rare sight, as he was typically the last to leave.

But I knew his reason for rushing, and I had to ensure he didn’t succeed. Spotting Michael preparing to leave, I approached him with my laptop.

“Michael, a quick moment?” I queried, striving for a casual tone despite my unease.

“I’m quite pressed for time… Yet sure, what’s needed?” he responded, checking the clock.

“I’m struggling with this report. Could you verify it’s done right?” I handed him the laptop, hoping he wouldn’t catch the deliberate mistakes.

Michael sighed and took my laptop. “Alright, let’s see what’s here,” he said, delving into the report’s details.

As he reviewed, pointing out blunders and advising corrections, I noticed his own project open on his computer screen.

It was his big task for the day, aiming to finish it before the date. My anxiety grew as he progressed quickly.

“Lucy, these errors are unlike you; your work is typically spotless. What’s going on?” he inquired, showing concern.

“Sorry, I’m not feeling my best,” I muttered, masking my true feelings.

Michael concluded the correction speedily. “It’s done. Expect no more disruptions; I need to wrap up a few things,” he stated, moving my laptop aside and returning to his task.

Panic surged within me. Fearful he’d finish on time, I resorted to a regrettable action. I accidentally knocked over the coffee beside his laptop, watching it spill over.

“Lucy! What have you done!” Michael exclaimed, hastily trying to save it. But it was too late. The laptop was unresponsive.

“I’m so sorry…” I apologetically stammered, guilt overcoming me.

Michael spent an anxious moment trying to restore it, then sighed, checking the time on his phone, and resigned. He typed something quickly and removed his jacket, settling back with disappointment. “I didn’t mean for this…”

“It’s alright… I’ll have to redo this on another device. Don’t concern yourself,” he replied, sounding frustrated.

I felt awful. Until seeing the outcome, I hadn’t grasped the gravity. But it was done, irreversible. I comforted myself with thoughts of Mom finding someone more fitting.

Returning to my desk, guilt deepened. I called my mom, hearing her saddened voice.

“Maybe this dating isn’t for me, honey. I think I’ll leave the app; it’s too challenging,” she voiced softly.

“Mom, don’t fret, I’ll visit tonight,” I responded, heart aching.

I needed to mend things. So, once more, I went to Michael’s office. “Michael, spare a moment?” I asked, my voice wavering slightly.

“There’s one more thing I wish to discuss…” I needed to make things right.

That night, I reached mom’s with my heart thumping, knowing the truth needed revealing. The door opened, and there was my mother, astonished to see me with Michael.

“Lucy? What are you doing?” she asked, voice steeped in surprise.

Michael appeared equally puzzled. “Why am I here, Lucy?” he questioned. He had kindly given me a lift after work, unaware of my larger plan.

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. “Mom, Michael, I need to admit something. I tried to disrupt your date,” I confessed, feeling a mix of guilt and relief.

Phoebe’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What do you mean, my dear?”

Michael, confused, looked between us. “Lucy, explain yourself.”

My actions’ weight pressed on me. “Phoebe is my mother. When I found out you were meeting, I panicked, thinking only of myself. I fixated on my feelings and the unease of possibly having you as my stepdad. In selfishness, I overlooked how this would affect you,” I admitted, voice trembling.

Phoebe’s expression softened, stepping closer. “Why, Lucy? You know how long I’ve been alone.”

“I realize, Mom. That’s why I feel worse now,” I admitted, tears threatening to spill. “I was scared and self-centered. I didn’t consider how this could bring you joy. I was stuck on my worries and the absurdity of having my boss as my dad.”

Michael slowly nodded as realization overcame his initial disbelief. “Lucy, I had no idea Phoebe was your mother. But thank you for coming clean. Admitting fault takes bravery.”

Nodding, I wiped my tears. “I’m deeply sorry. Now, I see you might just be perfect for one another. Perhaps fate brought you both here, given the challenges you’ve faced in love.”

Phoebe smiled warmly. “Sweetheart, I understand your feelings. But remember, my happiness is everything to me, and if Michael brings that, we owe it a try.”

Michael nodded, agreeing. “Lucy, your mother is a remarkable woman. I’d be delighted to know her more.”

Relief filled me. “Knowing everything, I just want you to know, no matter what, if you’re happy, I’m happier. I hope this can rectify my mistake.”

Phoebe embraced me warmly. “You already have, dear. Thank you for being truthful.”

Turning to Michael, she invited him in. “Michael, join us for dinner.”

Michael accepted gladly. “Thank you, Phoebe.”

Mom turned to me, extending an invitation. “Would you like to join us, Lucy?”

I shook my head, smiling. “No, Mom. Tonight is for you. Enjoy yourselves.”

As they disappeared inside, warm feelings surged within me. I returned to my car, feeling lighter. Truly, I was right—love knows no age.