"Finding my best friend" — The Later Daters star Lori opens up about her quest for a meaningful connection

The Later Daters, a docuseries backed by Michelle Obama, delves into the lives of six singles navigating love and relationships in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. With the guidance of dating coach Logan Ury, these individuals tackle the challenges of modern dating.

The network revealed that several participants, including Suzanne, Nate, Pam, Lori, and Greg, have been absent from the dating scene for over a decade. Logan works closely with them to uncover the underlying factors hindering their romantic progress.

In episode 3, Lori was introduced to the fans as a 57-year-old behavior coach and media correspondent. When Logan came to meet Lori at her house, The Later Daters star opened up to Logan about what she was looking for in a relationship and a partner. Logan claimed that she prioritizes matching vibes first.

"Finding my best friend. Yeah, you know what, I mean, someone that I can just hang out with," revealed Lori.

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Logan feels Lori sets up a wall while dating on The Later Daters

As mentioned earlier, Lori made her debut in episode 3 of The Later Daters. While chatting with her son, Lori expressed her dating pet peeves, specifically disliking generic texts and insincere greetings. She emphasized the importance of being addressed by her name, indicating a desire for genuine connections.

"I do not like it when a man just text me all day. 'WYD? What are you doing?' And I hate 'Good morning, beautiful.' I hate that. Say my name, 'Good morning, Lori,' so then I know it's not a mass text," revealed Lori.

In a confessional on The Later Daters, Lori introduced herself, sharing her life story. She had been married, divorced, and single for over 15 years, raising two children. Lori confessed her aversion to dating, opting to stay busy to avoid the hassle.

However, she acknowledged that finding love had become a priority, especially at her age. Lori longed to experience true love, having previously loved people but unsure if she had ever been in love.

As Lori prepared for an event with her daughter and stylist, she continued to open up about her life on The Later Daters. Her daughter and stylist assisted her in getting ready, discussing everything from lashes to lotion. Lori's daughter inquired about her mother's ideal partner, prompting Lori to reflect on her desires.

Later, Lori showed Logan around her home when the latter came to visit. They chatted about her various pursuits, including her work as a student engagement coach and her alter ego, "Rich Auntie Lori," a celebrity media correspondent. Lori's son, Sean, described his mother's big personality as requiring a special kind of person to match her energy.

Logan explored Lori's home, taking in the sights and scents, including her favorite mahogany and teak wood candles. Lori joked that these scents gave her home a masculine feel, compensating for the lack of a romantic partner in her life.

As they sat down for a heart-to-heart, Logan delved into Lori's past, discussing her marriage, divorce, and subsequent focus on her career and family. Lori acknowledged that she often found herself in the "friend zone" with potential suitors, leaving her wondering if she was inadvertently contributing to this pattern.

Logan astutely observed that Lori's glasses, while a stylish statement piece, might also serve as a subconscious barrier, deterring people from approaching her. Lori disagreed, insisting that her personality, not her glasses, was the true deterrent.

Logan recognized that Lori's tough exterior was likely a coping mechanism, developed over years of shouldering responsibilities and caring for others. Logan's goal was to help Lori tap into her softer side, making herself more vulnerable and open to romantic connections.

"A lot of people have walls up by this stage of life. I think it's especially true for older women who feel like they are holding the world up," said Logan in a confessional.

As their conversation drew to a close, Logan encouraged Lori to consider embracing her more vulnerable side, particularly when it came to dating on The Later Daters. Lori agreed, while also making it clear that she had no intention of abandoning her signature glasses.