Finding Love Beyond the Rodeo
On our latest episode of The Meet Market, we saddled up with Ali, a true cowgirl living about an hour outside the city where the dating pool is... well, let’s just say it’s more like a puddle. Dating in a tiny town of fewer than 400 people means options are limited, and finding someone who shares your interests—without those interests being their whole personality—is basically like searching for a unicorn with a cowboy hat.
Ali gave us the inside scoop on the wild world of western culture dating. Ever heard of “buckle bunnies”? That’s the term for women who chase rodeo cowboys but don’t actually live the cowboy life. Ali explained the divide pretty clearly: you either get the loyal, family-first country boys or the traveling rodeo cowboys who treat their lifestyle like an all-you-can-date buffet. Spoiler alert: the latter usually comes with a side of multiple girlfriends.
Because her town is so small, Ali makes the trek into the city for some country swing dancing at a place called The Stillery, where the vibe is friendly and the women look out for each other. But even there, it’s not all two-step and sweet tea. She shared a cringe-worthy story about a guy who invited her over on a first date, only for her to later discover he was already taken. Classic.
We also got into the sketchy territory of relationship “testing.” Ali told us about an ex who decided to test if she was “after his money” by seeing if she’d pay for herself during a trip he planned. When she did, no hesitation, he pulled the classic “it was a test” line—major red flag, obviously. It’s the kind of manipulative move that makes you want to throw your boots at the nearest exit sign.
At 32, Ali faces another hurdle: she doesn’t want kids. That’s a dealbreaker for many guys her age who either want to start families or already have young kids. She’s okay with dating single dads who have older kids but finds that many men either can’t or won’t meet her where she’s at on this. It’s a tricky balancing act that hits right at the heart of modern dating challenges.
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation was about wanting a partner who’s not just all about cowboy boots and rodeo hats. Ali loves the western lifestyle, but she also wants someone who enjoys hiking, traveling, or hitting the gym—someone with a little more than just one gear. Because honestly, nobody wants to date a human version of a country song on repeat.
The episode also took a fun detour into what hobbies might make someone a “red flag.” Ali joked about women who collect crystals, have a Disney obsession well into adulthood, or own too many cats. Are those dealbreakers? Maybe to some. But mostly, it just showed how quirky and unique we all are, and how there’s a perfect partner out there for just about every kind of weird.
Ali’s story is a reminder that whether you’re living in a tiny country town or a bustling city, the basics of good dating are the same: find someone who respects your boundaries, shares your values, and actually cares about what makes you, well, you. Whether that means riding horses or catching the subway, connection always wins.
