Hi findingdimes, I dint have a real answer, other than you fulfilled your wedding vows. That's whst Ive heard since 3-2013. I still struggle with the guilt. I feel like I am cheating on him when I go on a date. I do feel "strange" because I was a married woman for so long. Be gentle on yourself. The bible says there is no marriage in heaven. So you wont be married to him or anybody else in heaven. I think it just takes time and effort to process through these feelings.
I think it helps to start small. Make new friendships with people that your husband didn't know. Become you as an individual. Then maybe you can consider dating as a single woman without the guilt.
I have a date this afternoon. God only knows how I will feel. My biggest source of guilt comes from my 15 year old daughter who is still angry that her Dad died and thinks Im betraying her when I date... She doesn't understand the "till death do you part." Im supposed to stay single for the rest of my life because I loved him so much. I dont "have to be with someone", so I joke with her that I will only date guys that she approves of!

I do not know what your beliefs are but I went thru the same feeling. I survived 3 years before I started wanting out of the pain and after studying and talking with my pastor I was shown that the vow "til death do us part" is just that. In Heaven there is no marriage but I believe we will still see our loved one, and that there will be room for all that we love. I also know in my heart that my beloved would be happy with the man am with now, they have many of the same qualities and I believe we will all be together in the end. Even with this knowledge I still struggled with the "cheating" part and maybe still do a little. Life does not stop for any of us... it marches relentlessly on and we either stay in one spot and wither or step out and blossom! Hug you. Bonnie

It's natural and common to feel conflicted in joining the dating world after a satisfying marriage. I went through the same feelings. Will this go away? In a sense that you will come to accept that your love will continue throughout eternity and actually grow in depth and strength. That love will expand to include many more in the afterlife.

For me, life is about love and care and respect. We can only hope to broaden that circle here on earth taking nothing away but adding to those we hold dear. Sharon

thank you. and i think that is part of my problem too. that i have read in the bible there is no marriage in heaven and that makes me kinda sad. it shouldn't because there will just be some much love but from an earthly perspective that is my catch 22. only time will tell

and mel40 good luck on your date today!!!! you are young and should get out there for sure. hope we get to hear how it goes.

Just because there is no marriage in heaven doesn't mean you can't be with the souls you want. I think the meaning of no marriage in heaven is because it is not needed there. Of course if you want to date or remarry here on earth you are free to do so. The marriage vows say till death do us part. Chris

There is no right or wrong answer to this but if you are uncertain, I would wait a while longer. I know I flip flopped back and fourth with it however, I have gotten settled in to life alone. I can't say I like it or if this is the way it will be forever but I have found living alone does have advantages. Others here have found new loves and seem quite happy. I think the answer may be that this is a question we all have asked ourselves, but do we really need to pressure ourselves with a decision if we feel this uncertainty? No, i don't think so, you will find it within your heart and that's probably what you should follow.

You are saying basically what I felt at 1 year and then let it be and created a life by focusing on things for myself. Now it has been 2 years and while I would like to have someone in my future if it`s meant to be, I am not looking and to be honest some of the activities I go to does not promote meeting someone and that`s perfectly o.k. When the time comes and I feel the need then I`ll change my views I`m sure. I was also conflicted with being married in heaven and talk to a priest about and he said the same that there is no marriage in Heaven just surrounded by loved ones . That made me sad and then I started thinking that it was a kinder way to look at things. I just turned 50 and right now my DD is a constant in my life as my son lives quite a distance away but things will once again change with DD moving away in the next 15 months and I am sure that it will become harder to be so alone. But being alone for me does not equates making myself vulnerable.

Myself, I want to move on and start dating. But I find myself still wearing the wedding ring. Angela wanted me to move on after she was gone. I am glad we had that conversation. It does make it a little easier. I know she is okay with me putting the ring aside in some special place. I am not quite there yet.
I like the way Sharon explained how love needs to grow. Changing from an end to a beginning. Really difficult to grasp, but it makes sense.
Mark