Dating vs. Friendship

I had the perfect summer fling last year; of my list of must haves in a guy, he was a perfect 10. And for the first time since leaving my marriage, I fell in love.  The good times ended abruptly; however, when Yours Truly had a major meltdown, and decided to put it all in an email in the middle of the night.  He apparently was not ready to deal with "the dark side" of Ms. Pink. Sadly, you don't get great make-up sex for meltdowns...that apparently only comes with arguments. Of course I wish I had thought of that before sending the infamous email, but I wasn't thinking too much at the time.

We have since made up and are now "friends".  No we are not!  It is impossible to be friends with someone you totally fell in love with.  I know that some divorced couples manage to stay friendly; I try that too.  When you have been in a partnership with someone over several years, you continue to care about their well being, and in many instances there are children to consider, but I dare to say that none are true friends. My "perfect man" and I text flirt; not during sex like some apparently like to do, but texting while on a date is not so bad...; we email,  some times we talk on the phone, and very occasionally we meet for lunch.  Basically we try to act like friends, but every time it stirs up all those good feelings again, and then the not so good ones when things go nowhere...again.

 So we are moving on, but sadly, he seems to have ruined the whole dating experience for me.  Rather than seeing the good in any other guy, they all get compared to him, and never really measure up.  Someone said that love is the only cure for a broken heart.  But it's hard to fall in love without really giving a guy a fair chance. Wish there was a cure!  If you know of one, let me know!

Reentering the Dating Scene

This will be a tough one.  I got married young, so I'm a little out of touch. The few "relationships" I've had since regaining my single status are really nothing to write home about. But my girlfriends have convinced me I should start dating again, so I'll give it a try.

Some are pushing internet dating sites, but I am still convinced those are just for people incapable of meeting people in the real world, so that is out. I did consider "Date a Millionaire" until I realized that everyone on the site wants to date one, but no one actually is one. Just kidding.  I really would not date someone for their money.  Frankly I am not sure where to meet a new man, or if I even actually want one. I guess the only way to find out, is to try.

For starters I set up a wish list - the qualities I think the guy should have.Aim high and hope for best; that's my motto.  So here it is:

• Tall, dark and handsome (that means OVER 6'.  5' 8" is NOT tall)
• Well established (OK, in these times, at least employed)
• Intelligent
• Good sense of humor
• Enjoys the outdoors
• Active
• Non-smoker 
• Romantic
• Enjoys an evening out
• Good hearted

That should do for now.  If you know anybody who fits the description, please send him my way :-)

Oh, first, please check the NOT's:

• Long hair (read pony tail)
• Biker
• Gang member
• Criminal record
• NRA member 
• AFA member (oh - I'll have to do a separate post just on this organization....)
• Illegal alien

Now on to the Where.
Holiday parties is an option, but I am fairly certain the males will be sorely lacking at the ones I have been invited to so far, and girls are not yet interesting as a date.
Gym??  Yeah, that would work if I actually went to a gym.  Maybe next year.
Church...if so I'll have to find a new one. In ours they're either gay or married.

Hmmm, think we might have to go out and try the club scene. Wish me luck!  I'll keep you posted!