I've been single for over four years now, and from time to time I date. Dating at my age is quite different than dating when a teenager or a young adult. You have more experience with others, and most times you carry some battle scars. Priorities, wants and desires change as well, when you get older.
Guys in their late 30's, 40's, early 50's usually have something in common - they've been burned by a woman. Knowing this, knowing that sometimes wounds take a lot longer to heal than the wounded person realizes, has helped me a lot in the last 4 years. I've met a few guys that were worth dating, even fell in love a couple of years ago, but they couldn't quite let go of the past.
Sometimes, you meet someone and you just know it's not right. And the opposite is true - you meet someone and the chemistry is instant. Other times, you jsut don't know. Most of my dates are the 'I just don't know' variety. The very few, rare exceptions do occur, but for the most part it's 'blah'.
My date with Mike nine months ago would be considered leaning toward the 'chemistry' label. We got along great, the conversation was lively, and the date ended with him stealing a very brief kiss. I thought, 'yeah, I'd go out with him.'
I didn't hear from him at all. I left him a message on his machine, but he never responded. Until last night.
He e-mailed me yesterday, said he'd been busy, asked if I'd married. Ball's in my court. Do I respond in a positive manner? Or do I tell him to take a hike?
