The 40-Year-Old Bride: Finding Love (and Yourself) After 40 with Stacey Beaman

Sep 24

When we think about weddings, the image that often comes to mind is a twenty-something bride, all wide-eyed and glowing with the promise of a new beginning. But what about when that promise comes later in life—after divorce, career pivots, heartbreak, and a whole lot of growth?

That’s exactly what we explore in my latest episode of Carrie On! with my dear friend and guest, Stacey Beaman—a 40-something bride whose love story proves that timing really is everything.

From Divorce to Self-Discovery

Stacey’s first marriage ended quickly in her early 30s, leaving her to navigate years of dating, disappointment, and self-questioning. Instead of rushing to “fill the gap,” she poured her heart into building her businesses—her marketing company and the dance fitness movement **PlyoJam**.
Her career became her love story. And for a while, that was enough.
But as Stacey says, there comes a time when the hustle slows, the noise quiets, and your heart reminds you of what it still longs for.

A Serendipitous Swipe

After a knee injury sidelined her from teaching dance, and a global pandemic slowed all of us down, Stacey felt ready to reopen her heart. She logged back into Tinder—half out of boredom, half out of curiosity—and found a message waiting from someone unexpected: **Ryan, a high school acquaintance who’d always had a crush on her.**
The timing was uncanny. He had messaged her on the *very day* of her knee surgery. And just like that, a story decades in the making began to unfold.

Why Later-in-Life Love Feels Different

What struck me most about Stacey’s story isn’t just that she found Ryan, but how she describes the love they share.

It’s not about fireworks or endless guessing games. It’s about consistency—the steady good-morning texts, the ease of communication, the willingness to compromise when you’re blending lives (and yes, sometimes Star Wars collectibles).

As Stacey puts it: “Consistency is the green flag. No games—just steady care.”

The Forest Chapel Proposal

Ryan proposed in the most magical setting—Mammoth’s Forest Chapel at Twin Lakes. No makeup, no staged perfection, just sunlight streaming through the trees, birdsong in the background, and a heartfelt promise for the future.
It wasn’t about the grand gestures; it was about the quiet beauty of the moment. And in many ways, that’s the essence of love after 40: it’s grounded, real, and deeply cherished.

A Message for Anyone Still Waiting

If you’re still searching, Stacey’s story is a gentle reminder not to give up.

“Don’t waste the wait. Keep living, keep building a life you love, and stay open. You never know what’s right around the corner.”

Love rarely shows up in the package you imagined in your 20s. But when it arrives later, it often comes with more clarity, more self-awareness, and more capacity to appreciate it fully.

Carry On…With Hope

To every woman wondering if it’s “too late,” Stacey’s story is proof that it’s not. Love can bloom at any age—and often, it’s all the richer for the journey it took to get there.
So whether you’re swiping on Tinder, dancing it out at PlyoJam, or simply living your fullest life—know that **your story is still unfolding**.
Cheers to Stacey and Ryan, and to every 40-year-old bride (or 50-year-old, or 60-year-old) still writing her next chapter.
*Photo taken by BRA member Kathy Schuh*

🎥 Watch our full conversation on YouTube.
🎧 Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Leave a comment and share YOUR later in life love story!

Until next time, keep your head above the chaos and carry on.

xo,
Carrie