HER STORY: Connie — Secrets to a Fulfilling Life and Finding Love Again at 67

The Her Story Portrait Project from Tanya Eivin Photography celebrates women who keep reinventing themselves. In this intimate studio conversation, Connie Jacobson, 67 and living in Austin, shares how travel, faith, and the courage to rediscover herself opened the door to love late in life. Her reflections brim with tenderness, practical wisdom, and a bright insistence that life after 60 can be full of growth, joy, and new beginnings.

Tell us about your journey — who is Connie today?

I’m 67. My life has been one of rags to riches — faith, family, a lot of learning. Lately I’ve been rediscovering myself: spiritually, emotionally, physically. I feel healthier now, and I’m embracing who I am in a whole new way.

How did love enter your life at this stage?

You met your new partner after a trip to Italy. Would you choose travel or a new relationship if you had to pick?

I’d choose both. Travel is how we met — the people and the experiences are central to who I am. There’s nothing coincidental in life; it felt like an answered prayer and a beautiful gift.

How is this love different from what you sought when you were younger?

When you’re young, love feels like the unknown. Now that I know myself better, I understand the kind of love I’m looking for. Rediscovery and healing taught me what matters: depth, kindness, and someone who helps me grow in faith.

What does knowing yourself bring to a relationship now?

Knowing myself means I can listen more intently, be genuinely present, and bring honest conversation to the table. That kind of mature presence is something I couldn’t have offered in my younger years.

Your partner cooks and is an artist — what’s the single most important ingredient you bring to the table?

My capacity to listen and to really know someone. I hope I bring deep, attentive conversation and the willingness to meet another person fully.

How do you connect appearance with inner life?

How we look comes from within — confidence, strength, and the love we carry inside. For me, my faith is central; it gives me identity and light. Being in love also shines through. It’s a combination of inner health and the joy that shows on the outside.

What would you whisper to your 40‑ and 50‑year‑old self about the next two decades?

Be true to yourself. Be honest. Prioritize being healthy — not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. It takes courage to heal and grow, but it’s worth it. Keep discovering who you are and continue to grow into that person.

Did past relationships get left behind or do they still shape you?

I wouldn’t choose to leave them behind. Each relationship was special in its season and helped make me who I am today. I’m grateful for what transpired and for the lessons they gave me.

What would you say to people who dismiss portraiture as vanity?

I’d discount that view. Photographs document growth, legacy, and change. Our portrait sessions weren’t about vanity — they were joyful and full of life. Women are beautiful inside and out, and capturing that matters.

Would you encourage women over 50 to look for new love?

Yes — but only after they heal and become whole. It’s important to be healthy and centered first. Once you do that, don’t be afraid to open your life again. Don’t give up.

“”Don’t give up. Don’t be so hard on yourself.””

What final message do you have for women considering a fresh start?

Your soul is beautiful. As long as we’re here, we should believe that new possibilities are possible. Live fully every day. Be kind to yourself. Stay open to joy — it can come at any age.

Key takeaways from Connie’s story

• Rediscovery matters: healing and self-knowledge change what you look for in love.
• Travel and curiosity can create openings for profound life changes.
• Love later in life often centers on kindness, shared faith, and emotional presence.
• Portraits and legacy work aren’t vanity — they’re documentation of growth and joy.
• Don’t give up on love or reinvention; do the inner work first, then open your heart.

Conclusion

Connie’s conversation for the Her Story Portrait Project is a reminder that life after 60 is not a closing chapter but a renewed season of discovery, health, and possibility. Her gentle insistence on healing first, staying true to yourself, and remaining open to love is both practical and inspiring. Whether through travel, faith, or simple everyday presence, Connie shows us how to carry forward with grace.

Interview and portraits courtesy of Tanya Eivin Photography. Watch the full conversation above to feel the warmth and nuance of Connie’s story.