I'm from a different generation so my thoughts on the subject may differ from others. I think of dating as enjoying the company of someone I'm attracted to. What develops can change with time into romance as it did with my husband in high school. We dated as friends, then dated exclusively, and then romantically. There were steps back then. Lol!

If you know my history you know the first guy I "socialized" with was a friendship. I spent 10 months seeing him and we both moved on to romantic dating with someone else who we were attracted to. I see this as healthy. We both had been in a marriage for long period of time and needed what we shared to transition into my definition of dating.

Meeting Artie was an attraction immediately. I had no problem using the familiar term dating. We followed my self imposed steps much quicker than high school, but I guess I have transformed into the 21st century. Lol. Sharon

Ya, texting these days is normal communication. Much different :)

I was 45 when I was widowed, now I am 48. The man i am seeing now, at the time I was sure i was really in a place of being very content with not dating but when i met him it was all fireworks and candy canes and it was instant and thus we have tons of fun and very similar interests and the same views on most things. Prior to that it was a date here and there but nothing much because i was not interested in the guy much. I am not much interested in superficial conversations so if the conversation is not of depth i am liked already "checked out" early on. That is "way fun" to me right off the bat. All of that being said, I do not feel the NEED to have someone because i had done so much internal work that anything else is a wonderful bonus in my life. I do not have any wonderful "insight" to offer because i think everything is so individual. I know what really worked for me is the not looking. The looking within to work on me and everything after that seems to have fallen as it is at this moment and i am not looking much further into what may be.

Hey it's me and of course you know that I am right with you on this crazy ride that life has given us. I guess when you start dating again, you have to relearn a lot of dating etiquette and learn abot how you yourself has changed sense you have dated. I fell for a girl that I thought I could love. I was picky and didn't give others the time of day. I don't regret that though. I found someone that I really liked. What I regret is how fast things went with her. I regret all the expectations that I had for this relationship. You are doing the right thing by taking it slow. You are on a much less bumpy path and I hope that I not far behind. I will keep an eye on the responses here because they will surely help me as well. I personally think that you are on the right path and looking to others that have gpne through this is a good way to avoid some of the unnecessary hardships that we might face if we didn't have people to council us while we are on this journey.
I am very pleased with hopeful hearts. Thank you all.

We need to learn the nuances of dating and relationships quickly or risk being hurt or abused. This is tough!

My husband died of esophagus cancer 2 years ago. We were married for 13 years and I have three daughters ages 11, 6, 4. I work full-time so time for myself is very limited. I'm happy to go to a yoga class once a week. I had decided that I will never get married again, not interested in any kind of a relationship at this point because I have no time for it. I've been happy with my independence and doing what I want when I want. Well, there has been someone at work who has asked me out a few times, I turned him down explaining my life situation. So, this started three months ago and the last two weeks I have found myself thinking about him and feeling attracted to him. Now I feel I want to date him and I'm interested in him. I don't know how to do this because I've been out of the dating scene for over 17 years and I didn't plan on having a love interest since I didn't go out looking for it - it found me...

Avm99, I am in the same boat. Trying to figure it out. I wanted to be the widow who was happy and never remarried. It finds me. I am learning that there are some needs I have that only a man can meet and not hate myself for it. I'm going on a date tonight with a guy I went out with 2 weeks ago. My time is limited too. And my daughter is not ready for me to date, so he stays in the shadows. I have enjoyed his company. I am getting very comfortable with him because he seems to really respect me and honor me. And my daughter. He doesn't mind being in the shadows. It's the whole heart thing. It's another aspect I can't control. I want control!!!
I am determined to take it slow. Get to know him. And always be prepared to move on if needed.