This column idea started innocently enough. Dating after 50. How much could there be to write about such a narrow topic?

Turns out that might be a facetious question. The original column spurned a part two, and now, here, a part three. I’m not promising this is the last, because I guess dating after 50 is complex, interesting and just a little bit hilarious.

Who would’ve guessed?

Certainly not me because — I’ve said it before, but I’ll write it again. My last dating experience ended in 1987. So, I’m beyond unqualified to write on the topic. Still, here I go: dating life in the 20s versus the 50s.

In your 20s: You hope to find love, get married and maybe one day change diapers.

In your 50s: You hope to find love, get married and never have to change any diapers (but I guess that depends).

20s: You desire someone with a good heart (figuratively).

50s: You desire someone with a good heart (literally).

20s: You value someone who brings you flowers.

50s: You value someone who brings you an extra jacket.

20s: You hope to date someone who, like you, collects vintage vinyl records because it’s the hot new thing

50s: You hope to date someone who, like you, owns dozens of vinyl records because it used to be a thing.

20s: You met your current person after swiping right

50s: You met your current person after side-swiping their car in the CVS parking lot.

20s: After a good date you check your notifications.

50s: After a good date you check your voice mail.

20s: You’d like to find someone who, like you, prefers their coffee Americano (iced) with a double shot of espresso, a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon (Ceylon).

50s: You’d like to find someone who, like you, prefers their coffee black, like a real American drinks it.

20’s: You are attracted to someone with a good set of values.

After 50: You are attracted to someone with a good set of teeth. 

20s: You enjoy sharing a good night out at the club.

After 50: You enjoy sharing a good club sandwich.

20s: You met your first girlfriend at hot yoga.

50s: You met your first spouse when she was wearing a hot toga.

20s: New Year’s Eve involves a kiss at midnight; then let the party begin!

50s: New Year’s Eve involves a kiss at midnight; then let the sleeping begin!

20s: You look for someone who is low maintenance.

50s: You look for someone who is good with home maintenance.

20s: Your definition of risky business involves Bitcoin.

50s: Your definition of risky business involves Tom Cruise in his underwear dancing on a couch.

Dating is an adventure at any age, but after a certain one — say 50 or more — life becomes interesting in a whole new way. An infinite future gives way to a finite one (which has always been finite; we just never realized it). The challenges of parenting give way to the joys of grand parenting. The certainty of youth gives way to the wisdom of age.

The through it all, a few things remain constant. Laughter is one that comes to mind. 

At least I hope it is a constant. If it isn’t, it should be, for all of us — at any and every age.

— Jill Pertler’s column Slices of Life appears regularly in the Times. She can be reached at slicescolumn@gmail.com.