Spencer, please don't think that there is no hope for you romantically. I met my husband when he was 36 years old and we didn't get married until he was 39, and this is the first marriage for both of us (hopefully the only one!). When we met, neither of us were "looking" for a partner. There is a sizable age difference between us, but that didn't prevent us from realizing that we had a great deal in common, including a love for animals, especially cats. You sound like a really nice guy, helpful and caring. Just be yourself and hang tight, your time will come so long as you realize that both partners in a relationship need to give to each other instead of expecting to receive all the time.