That is the basic and most popular question I get from people who know me and have seen me with a younger and black boyfriend.  The answer is really very simple; just like any other relationship!  At least, that's how it started anyway.  Then, like with many other things that one starts to enjoy, like wine or food or hobbies, you explore!  Suddenly you find your palate evolves and expands from trying something new or different.  

I guess I can understand why they ask, after all it's not often you see an middle aged white woman and younger black man doing the very typical things most couples do when out in public; walking together, holding hands, sitting and conversing, and generally just enjoying each other's company.  

My "evolution" with black men started when I was 43, a little over 2 years after a divorce from a 19 year marriage.  He was 29, and very much the typical middle-class, working young man, except that he was black.  We met in a mall store when he approached me and the meeting lasted all of at least 60 seconds.  He was very flattering, then along with his friends he left.  We didn't meet again until a few weeks later when I was looking to buy a new TV and some other electronics for my business.  He happened to be a department manager in the store.  He recognized me and I remembered him and for whatever reason we just really hit it off.  He was very professional in helping me pick out a TV and he even had another very knowledgable person help me with the other office electronics.  Along with his very couteous nature, I also found he was also very easy to talk too.  Long story short, he asked to meet me at a nearby restaurant during his lunch break .  Not a date, just to continue the conversation.  Needless to say it was very enjoyable and the start of what turned into an almost 3 year relationship.  And that is how it started.