As a widow it has been 10.5 months and I get the missing of being with someone. I just do not trust myself at this time to initiate or go forward with anything. I truly feel I have to complete this transition within myself before I can give to anyone..I am still so in love with my husband and miss him terrible, but yes, I would like to eventually have a relationship with someone but it will happen when it will. You are only in this journey a few months, it changes again and again. Don't trust yourself just yet you will regret ittake more time.

Missing the physical contact as well as companionship is a normal emotion. I entered a social friendship with a guy that lasted about a year, but it wasn't a love relationship to either of us. That answered the question for us. Of course, I was raised in a different time. Sharon

Physical intimacy was still very important in our marriage, and that's just another way to get slammed by grief. You go from having someone there all the time--mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically--to nothing. So yes, I miss the sex and even just holding her.

BTW, I used to joke with her that even though our bodies were getting older, we weren't dead, yet. Well...

So I miss the intimacy, but I don't really want anyone but her at the moment. It almost seems not worth the effort to build a new relationship. I think to myself that I don't know how long I have left, even though I'm still relatively young. After experiencing this, I'm not sure I want to go through it again or die and put a loved one through it. Know what I mean?

Additionally, Christianity is important to me, and I feel strongly that physical intimacy is for marriage. I'm not telling others what to do! I'm simply saying it's important to me.

Of course, I wouldn't want to be with a woman who didn't have similar values and didn't still wanted sex. I've read that many women lose interest as they age, but that wasn't the case with my wife. I don't really know the "norm," as I was a happily married man.

I don't feel like I've even got a possibility of anything myself (in my case, he's been gone over a year), but I don't know, if she knows of your situation & that you're not really wanting anything more serious that a little more intimacy, then why not? As long as you are consenting adults. . .

I think you should let her know how you're feeling. Then go from there. Just my opinion. If I had not took a chance on my husband I would have missed out on the best 24 years of my life!

It seems like you've already decided not to pursue intimacy with the woman in question. I don't believe we should wait simply for sake of appearances. I've heard people insult widows or widowers who remarried in only one year. Who cares about that? There is no right time! However, I think it would require some careful thought beforehand to ensure one isn't being hasty to fill a need.

Speaking from a widow point of view and being at the 17 month mark.... I certainly know the things you are feeling. I too miss those things. My advice would be to take a step back and ask your self if you miss those things with your wife like you said or you just miss those things in general. My reason for saying that is in my case I miss my husband's touch and intimacy.... Im not sure I would want someone else's but I am not in a relationship with another man.

I may feel differently if I were. If you find that you want the touch and intimacy from the woman you are seeing talk with her and you might find that she feels the same way. Maybe she wants more too. be open, be honest and be yourself