Hmm, until I met seventeen, I would have said sixteen was one of my best dates–minus the chemistry, that is. He had me meet him at his condo–I know this is not really appropriate, but he lived steps from the water and we were going to a park very close to his house so it really made sense and I always take precautions by telling a friend who I am with and where I am going. Lucky K is the one who usually tracks me–I am not new to this rodeo, my friends.
We met at his door and walked down to the park where he had chairs and a blanket set up. He took out a music player for music and he had cheese and crackers and fruit all ready to go–it was pretty great! He had also fixed and marinated salmon and veggies, but we were talking so much we never grilled them! After watching the sun go down, we went back to his place, dropped off the stuff and headed out to a restaurant on the main street area very close to his condo. (this condo was a primo location in a primo town!) We went to a nice place, ordered and shared 2 desserts and then went back to his condo once more.
It was very nice, very comfortable, very civilized but not a spark in sight–but at this stage I thought the sparks would come later so it really didn’t matter to me (remember, I was yet to meet Seventeen and find you could have sparks immediately–he has truly ruined me for average dates now) As we were ending the date, my daughter called crying (she had had a recent sports injury and was in pain) and asking when I was coming home and it took a few minutes to calm her down and let her know I was just leaving so goodbye got a bit rushed but I fully expected I would have a second date so I wasn’t worried. I got home, sent him the requisite ‘thank you’ e-mail and didn’t give it another thought. Next day, after paddleboarding with Vix (and she fell in–now everyone knows!–ok, i was in a kayak) I get a short, curt text telling me he would not be looking for a second date–since all signals were go all the way until the end, I can only assume he thought having my daughter at home was baggage he wasn’t willing to deal with–no great loss on my part.
Dating while you have kids at home just makes them part of the package–they will be your priority until they leave and, to me, a real man will accept and understand that.
My daughter is a teenager so this image is completely wishful thinking–but I do still remember the one day long, long ago my son and daughter were like this so I went with it….
Lessons Learned:
1. Chemistry is immediate (at least for me). You can grow to love someone, but true chemistry doesn’t need time.
2. Kids are not baggage–and how men treat/talk about their kids speaks volumes about their character.
32 responses to “Sixteen–he knows the drill”