My mom gave up everything to raise me. After my dad left, she was my rock, always putting me first. I just wanted to see her happy again—so I set her up on a dating app. I never expected the man she’d match with would leave me speechless.

I’m Lucy, 23, and my mom Phoebe is 56. One sunny weekend, I took photos of her to use for her Tinder profile. She was shy at first, but we laughed our way through it. She hadn’t dated in years, but I was determined to help her find someone special.

The next day at work, my coworker Natalie joked about our usually serious boss, Michael, smiling at his phone. Curious, I peeked—and nearly fainted. He was chatting with my mom! They had a dinner date that night, and I panicked.

To stop it, I faked a work crisis, even spilled coffee on his laptop. He canceled the date. But the guilt crushed me. That evening, I brought him to my mom’s house and came clean. Phoebe forgave me, and Michael understood. That night, they had dinner together—without me. And I realized: real love deserves a chance, even if it surprises you.