My first boyfriend in my 40s – Thanks Tiktok

A millennial millennial who met her first boyfriend in her 40s all her life – he sent her a message on Tiktok.

Mia Chard, 42, said she tried to find romantic connections when she was young, but never resolved.

Mia grew up in the Mormon faith in Utah, saying that coupling within the community and finding families in this way.

Mia said she had a “typical” teenage experience, meeting boys on dance and doing early stages, but never tried.

In August 2024, Mia started dating again and documented her single life on Tiktok – designed to get rid of the shame of being single as an adult.

Max, 40, found a video of her and told her, “Hey, I thought I would shoot,” and the two started chatting.

In September, a month after dating, the couple became boyfriend and girlfriend. The couple put no pressure on their future and are taking it every day.

“For me, I worked so hard to find romantic connections, but things never matched.

“It’s difficult because I feel like I have a problem because I can’t reach a romantic connection.

“I have always had a romantic heart and always wanted this connection in my life.

“Since then, I tried to date in my teens, in my twenties and multiple dates – but that never worked out for me.”

Mia grew up in the Mormon Community and expressed her wish that she would get married within the community.

Growing up, Mia would meet people in dance or church, but nothing progressed to a second date.

“In Mormon faith, there is a great emphasis on coupling in the field and finding families in this way,” Mia said.

“As I was a teenager, I had the typical teenage experience, going to dance and meeting people in that way.

“I met people in my twenties in my church congregation. I had a lot of first dates, but I never had a second time.”

An unfortunate love affects Mia’s confidence and self-perception because she is constantly told that if she loves herself, love will come.

She said she tried to find a romantic connection, but it could never be resolved.

Mia said: “For a long time, it will definitely defeat my confidence and self-awareness.

“I’ve been told that if I love myself first, then come.

“People would ask me what’s wrong because I don’t have a relationship.

“When I tell someone that this is my first relationship, I get some different reactions – people find it interesting, happy with me, or I get the classic “What’s wrong with you.”

“I got a lot of judgment and a lot of support, which is polarized.”

In 2021, Mia began posting videos on Tiktok in a bid to end the stigma about being single as an adult and the loneliness it brings.

Then, in August 2024, Max discovered a video of Mia and told her: “Hey, I thought I would shoot.”

Mia said: “When I saw his message, I just started dating online and I thought, ‘Let’s take this picture.’

“We built a dinner date and the rest is history.”

Max added: “I called Mia because like her, I just started picking up the date again and saw her on my tiktok feed.

“She is making videos about getting flavored pop music, which I know are unique to Utah and sent her a message.

“I thought she was cute and funny, so I thought why not? I sent her a message after a day of thinking.”

After a month of dating, Mia and Max became official in September 2024.

Max made her feel relaxed and so he was that person that was effortless for her, she said.

“I feel relaxed about the way we interact with each other,” Mia said.

“We have fun together, have the ability to laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.

“I feel safe on every level, and emotionally.

“We were able to communicate well – he felt like my best friend.”

Mia said she reacted “mixed” when she told people that this was her first relationship and she had no regrets about life, adding: “It’s part of the journey.”

“It’s definitely the whole part of the experience and the journey,” Mia said.

“I hope my young self can separate my value from my relationship status.

“There is a cure to find this relationship for me.”

Max said: “My love for Mia is her heart, she is very kind and loving.

“She cared so much about others, not just people who were close to her – strangers.

“A lot of times we’re on a walk and she’ll stop and make sure the homeless people do a good job.

“I admire this very much. Her passion for social justice and sympathy for others is admirable.

“She is beautiful, too. I love that we can joke together. She is smart, too, and can look at anything from multiple perspectives.