So very happy for you!! ((Hugs))

Kim, I'm proud of you. It is a hard thing to do. I am learning the hard way that I'm still adjusting to this afterlife and continue to look at things differently than before, and before means the dating I've had since my wife died. I can only speak for myself, and I'm sure everyone's journey is different, but I've learned the hard way that I fall in love at the drop of a hat. And it's really not love because I move on to the next prospect without missing a beat. I do enjoy dating and each and I've learned from each and every relationship I've had. But we have tender hearts that have been wounded. And when I recognize my weakness and yet jump right into the next relationship, well I have to admit I'm not ready for any lifelong commitment with anyone yet. And all this after I made the worst mistake of my life and married who I thought was another true love. Well, that lasted 8 days. I do know that there is no better feeling than being in love. The difficulty for me is distinguishing between being in love and being in lust. It's not like I'm jumping from bed to bed. It's more like I'm a teenager again discovering that dating women can be a fun adventure for me. And it is. But I have to keep watching myself. Lord, I probably would have married at least another 3 times but for the fact that I'm dragging my feet on divorcing the 8 day fling. I finally figured out why. Being married is my safety net because as long as I'm technically married, I can't marry anyone else. But now I've learned where that wife ran off to, and I've got to get that mess behind me. I've been told so many times to just take it slow, and I would be the first to give that same advice to anyone. But when it comes to my own matters of the heart, well I've still got a lot of healing to do in that department before I can trust my own judgment again. Best advice I got from someone here is to date a person 4 seasons before marrying them. I dated a nurse that has worked most of her career with mentally disturbed patients in a hospital. We remain friends. She told me that if a person is mentally disturbed, it will surface within 6 months. They seem unable to mask it any longer than that. And then there are the scammers. I had to learn those lessons the hard way too, but fortunately it became obvious to even me quickly before any real damage was done. The hardest lesson of all though has been the inability of so many to enter into any meaningful relationship. Guys can get used and then thrown away just as women can. We tend to not mind so much, but when that is not what you're looking for or expecting, it really makes you shake your head. Those are my lessons so far and undoubtedly I'll have many more. But one thing I refuse to do is let my heart harden over any of it. And I do hope you find another true love because we all know there is nothing better in life. Will I be fortunate enough to find me a 2nd? I'd like to think so. But I need to not throw the real thing away by accepting a counterfeit. Best of luck to you in your dating experiences. I wish you nothing but happiness. God knows we all deserve that. ~~~ Scott

I want to give you a shout out for giving yourself a second chance. Kim, you are a vibrant and brave gal and should continue on your journey of life when you're ready. Happy for you!