gentleman – SUNKISSED SOUL

Thankful

April 8, 2022 Sunkissedsoul

So…I just wanted to share.
I had a first date with a man last night that I have been talking to for a few weeks.
For the first time in what feels like so long, I was super excited and nervous AND without expectation for this date. That’s what I was going to share yesterday, but my jaded self wanted to wait and see if the date even happened.

It was incredibly fun! There was stimulating, intelligent conversation, laughter, a bit of deeper sharing and it just flowed. My favorite part (besides all of this and that he is lovely to look at and smell); he didn’t seem to be running his own agenda.
After dating people who have left me feeling used (I totally have accountability in getting into those relationships) and empty; this was so refreshing. So far, there is nothing about this gentleman that makes me go ‘hmmmm?”

My worry is that in the past, I have misunderstood stable and healthy for boring. I’m determined to stay aware and keep honest with myself. I want to be a partner; I do not want to be someone’s therapist or mother. I am a natural nurturer and a therapist in real life; I just have to remind myself that in dating I want to be a partner in something real and reciprocal.

I am looking forward to the second date (again unusual for me). Whether it is one date, two dates or so much more; I am thankful beyond words for the encouraging experience.

Funk town

March 28, 2019March 28, 2019 Sunkissedsoul

I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for a dear friend to get his pet scan test results today. Cancer was suspected. He is brave and accepting and when he called, I held my breath and waited for the news. ALL CLEAR. I am so grateful.

Spoke with another angel in my life who has struggled with a heroin addiction for years. I was sharing with him how different it was to learn the clinical side of heroin addiction versus seeing him struggle and suffer with it. Right now, he is doing well. Right now is all we have. Again, so grateful.

I received a schedule of the remaining classes I am to finish before I graduate in December. Six classes, my internship hours and a HUGE project, and grad school will be done. I get overwhelmed (aka freaked out) with the seemingly impossible task of finishing all of this in a timely manner, yet I am ecstatic about the possibilities.

I have been in a serious funk this week. It has taken the feedback of two dear friends, a sibling and my Momma to get me to see this. I’ve been entirely consumed by something that has hurt my feelings, and I’ve failed to remember all about how wonderful this life can be.

I’m sad that someone I care about might think poorly of me, and I’ve been stuck on spin cycle trying to figure out how to ‘fix’ it. In other words…how to best control the outcome.

That’s funny, right? Control…doesn’t look very much like letting go. Completely opposite of surrender or trusting the process. Certainly not believing that I am right where I need to be and absolutely not absorbing joy because anxiety is winning out. So.not.cool.

I posted some quote the other day…I can’t remember the exact words but I know it points to letting go of shit. (but much more eloquent). It’s possible to let go of the past while still clinging to the negative cognitions or emotions of it. Thus, it has to be possible to LET IT ALL GO too. I’m just not quite sure how.

I’m a little all over the place, please just stick with me because I’m confident that this all fits together some way. (maybe?)

I’m a fairly confident person in my work, at home, socially, with family and friends, etc. But, in relationships with men, I turn into an insecure teenager. (not dissing teens, I just missed out on dating in those years so I’m fully experiencing the turmoil of it now, lol!) I despise these feelings of doubt, worry, angst, less than, broken and not good enough. I figure maybe someone else struggles with similar things, and if not…just enjoy a good giggle.

I have this ever growing list of thoughts and conundrums that would really be beneficial for anyone I date to know. I am considering typing them up and handing them out on an index card on our first date. Too weird?

Additionally, and important…this list is NOT directed at any person. It’s just a gathering of my own collective experiences and I am certain that any man could quickly come up with a double the size list for me.

I have gotten immense value out of all of these experiences and although I’m frustrated in this moment, my frustration has far more to do with my own doings than anything else.

1) If I have taken time out of my life to spend time with you in any capacity, this is a good indicator that I take interest in you and getting to know you. Unless it is urgent, it would mean the world to me if you would refrain from texting, phone calls, or other technological conversations while we are together. For the love of all things good, please take special consideration of this tip when it involves others you might be dating. Despite the status of our connection, it’s just respectful. I like to feel treasured and present in the moment together. Doesn’t everyone like that better? This has happened to me too many times to count and I can’t decide if it’s just today’s dating norm or if I am an attention hog.

2) If we have been at the point of conversations previously that you have called me ‘beautiful’, ‘cute’, ‘incredibly smart’, ‘sexy’, ‘pretty’ or the like, please continue this during our time together. Otherwise, I believe that you said what you needed to say to get me where you wanted me and that feels really yucky. Again, I have chosen to spend this time with you because I take interest in you. I do not need affirmation every five seconds, but it does feel nice to be noticed.

I have my insecurities. Just like my daddy said, “there will always be someone prettier, richer, smarter, etc but you aren’t better than anyone and no one is better than you.” That is so freaking tough for this heart of mine to absorb.

3) I can’t speak for everyone, just for me. Feel free to hold doors open for me, walk me to my car, kiss me hello/goodbye and make sure I get home okay. It’s just a thing. When you do these things, I feel valued, safe, and cared for and I will return this tenfold.

4) I think sex is fabulous. I believe kisses are the best thing ever invented. Being held is incredibly delicious. That said, I also cherish hand holding, deep conversations, sharing views respectfully (even in opposition), laughing, being goofballs and doing things. You know? Human vs. object….huge difference. Treat me like a lady, please. It lets me know I matter to you.

5) I am pretty darn cool, but am not anywhere near perfect. I am intensely, constantly aware of this. Chances are, you aren’t perfect either. How awesome if we could build one another up and draw out the good rather than point out one another’s flaws.

I am consistently working on personal, spiritual, physical and emotional growth. However, I haven’t ‘arrived’ and doubt I ever will. It’s all a journey. If you are at the place that you have achieved perfection, we likely will not be a good match. Perfection is exhausting…I know…I’ve tried. I just want to be loved for who I am, don’t you?

6) Be honest and be gentle. It’s quite possible for the two to co-exist. You are deeply interested in someone else, but you want to spend time with me? Please give me the dignity of being upfront ahead of time and allow me to make a fully informed decision. I might value you alot more than you know, trust is already hard for me and really don’t want to walk in blind. Likewise, I will be honest with you from the get go. I have made the error of not doing so in the past and it’s completely icky.

7) We are both grown ups by this time in life. We both bring baggage. We also still have a lot of fabulous goodness in us as individuals and maybe as a couple. Recently noted…focus too much on the baggage and old relationships and you will certainly end up in a stuck zone. No fun.

I’m learning…so many different types of connections. Just please be real. Be genuine. Be truthful. Be forgiving. Be present. I’ll do the same, we are all learning.

I guess I’m holding onto some things.

Let go.

It’s just stuff.

I’m sure it still all fits together somehow, but hell if I know the how of the some.

Whatever.

Status Single

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019 Sunkissedsoul

If I were to be interviewed tonight regarding my thoughts on dating, men and myself, I might be banned from opening my mouth again. Or maybe my words would reverberate a familiar tune to those walking a similar path.

There is a linguistic dance party in my brain and the words all seem to be dancing to a different tune.

I have been officially divorced for about a year and a half. I was legally separated for about a year and a half before that. To clarify, this was a first divorce after an 18 year first marriage (23 years together). I had never planned on a divorce and I am not sure what I think about another marriage. I do know that I never want another divorce. Ever.

The only reason I share this is to say that other than my ex-husband, I really had no experience dating. I had experience partying in college, but I am not of the opinion that this is the same as grown up dating. Furthermore, after an 18 year marriage, I came out knowing (mostly) how to be a wife…not how to date. Vast differences.

I find the quote in my picture quite funny. Although, in all honesty, I sleep on one side of the bed always. My side. It’s been “my side” for over half my life. I guess I’m still saving a spot for someone. I also stand under only one of my two shower heads when I shower, though I turn them both on. Again…Saving a spot. Oh the subtle ways we humans express the unspoken and maybe even unrealized is intriguing. Ironic.

I thought I wanted to date soon after our separation. My first ‘date’ was with a dear, dear long time friend. We had a lovely evening of wine, music and deep conversation. He kissed me…twice. The first time I cried. The second time I laughed uncontrollably. These were not the lips I had kissed for the last 23 years and I felt like a cheater. I have apologized to him a multitude of times.

If I remembered how to contact them, I would apologize to the men that took me out during that 3 or 4 month period of time. I would tell them that I was sorry for talking about nothing but my dissolved marriage and my children and to please not take it personal that I couldn’t wait to dash out the door after dinner. Oh…and that I appreciated them offering to walk me to my car but the thought of them trying to kiss me made me vomit in my mouth (but not to take it personal).

Obviously, I wasn’t ready to date. It just took a few dates to let that solidify.

Fast forward to post official divorce and I was in a different place. I was actually ready to explore the world of men (whom I found terrifying). Online dating was my means of exploration. I started, tentatively, soon after the papers were signed. It was not long before I went out for drinks with a really nice guy. One thing led to another and the date lasted until morning. I woke up, and I wanted him to leave. There was an obligatory kiss goodbye, a few nice little follow up texts and I’ve not spoken to him since. I think of him figuratively as the guy who broke the seal. Nothing less, nothing more.

Initially, overwhelmed with guilt, I immediately went to my best friend’s house and told her all about it. I can’t remember…I think I cried at her house that morning.

I had moved one step further away from my broken marriage and I knew it.

There was such a sense of freedom, even among the sadness. I had no regrets.

Soon after, I met the man with whom I would spend the next 9 months. I thought I loved him. I did love him. We experienced things together that I had never experienced. It was exhilarating, until it wasn’t. Unfortunately, he turned out to be a very wounded soul who would’ve destroyed me had I not gotten out when I did.

I’m thankful for my time with him…it grew me up immensely in a short amount of time. There is a broken piece inside of me that still misses him at times, but I know better than to ever delve back into that world.

I had one other relationship for about 3 months. This one was with a super special gentleman that I wronged in the end. I will always treasure those three months and hope that he finds the love of his life because he is incredibly deserving.

Lesson learned…there are titanic size differences in boys and men and age does not define manhood.

Intermittently, I have dated men that I have met online. There have been some fabulous friends made, many first dates, a few that I dated several weeks, a couple of disappearing acts and yes, one or two ickies.

I’ve listened to more Matthew Hussey and Single Smart podcasts than anyone ever should, really!

I have learned terms I never knew I’d need to know during this process.

I’ve been “breadcrumbed” And “benched”, maybe even “cushioned”. The trouble is, sometimes it takes me longer than I’d like to understand this is the case (games suck). I’ve “ghosted” (only once bc he freaked me out) and I’ve been ghosted. “Micro-cheating” feels macro and isn’t cool. “Love bombing” is real. “FWB” is fun’ish until it’s not. “Hi” is supposed to open the doors to a world of fascinating goodness but never feels sufficient.

Some people are able to convey a much broader range of emotions through emojis than they’d ever express in word and deed. For real. 😉🤔🙄😜😇😈💋🔥❤️ and I won’t even get started on the produce emojis!

Here’s a great little link if you’d rather read than experience the terms. (Or perhaps you’ll choose both. I got ya!😉) https://bestlifeonline.com/online-dating-terms-older-people-dont-know/

A bit of personal wisdom I’ve collected through my “research”…

The dating culture online is fast moving and it’s not uncommon to get ‘real familiar’ with each other quickly. I think it’s something about the false safety of technology.
Kissing is superfun and men are supercool. Seriously, I like them way more than I ever knew…not so terrifying after all. Also, a kiss can just be a kiss. It is not a covenant. Seriously.
The range of wants is on a spectrum. Imagine one end is raw, uninhibited sex for a couple of hours and the other is deep, intimate connection for a lifetime. EVERYTHING FALLS IN BETWEEN . I must be clear about what I want in any given situation. Even better if the other party is clear you. I am learning all about what I want through an experiential training in my own life. Honestly, it’s often confusing and I don’t know what to do but feel it out and absorb the experience.
Some can be intensely overwhelming the first few interactions…block them. As a matter of fact, block anyone who gives you any sense of the heebie jeebies, without regrets. No fixer uppers needed.
Dating can be fun. It can also be exhausting and feel like being on a continual interview. Take a break when a break is needed and enjoy it fully when that’s what is needed.
Dignity, honesty, respect, safety, boundaries, and a sense of humor…absolute necessities in my world.
It’s lovely to be treated like a lady and it’s just as lovely to enjoy the company of a gentleman. I love my girlfriends but it’s simply not the same. Men smell good (hopefully), they feel good and they are just enjoyable to be around in a different way.
I am a little bit old fashioned in some ways and a little bit ahead of my time in others. That’s okay. Just gotta be me.
Someone does not have to be evil to not be good for me.
I don’t have to be evil not to be good for someone else.

I told my best friend today, I would love to just date one person but I don’t really want a relationship yet. She asked exactly what I meant. I let her know that I wanted one someone to do fun things with; talk deeply with; someone to take me out; someone to kiss and snuggle and all the other stuff. She asked how this was not a relationship. Why? Simply because I said so.

I let another close friend know pretty much the same thing the other day. But I added that I wanted to be seen and appreciated for who I was; I wanted to see and appreciate the other person for who they are and I wanted to really love and cherish each other.

Currently, some part of me still goes toward and connects to those who likely won’t be my long term partner. I seem to unconsciously be drawn to the men that fit lots of my criteria but not the part that includes love and cherish in the intimate, forever sense. It’s tough…commitment is fleeting and vulnerability is rare.

In this arena; A grown up kid enjoying the playground and also knowing she yearns for her own “When Harry Met Sally” kind of everlasting love….that is me.

Until then…The journey is mine to embrace. Me learning to love myself fully is my assignment.

That’s a lot.❤️