I recently started casually dating a man I met at a restaurant I had taken myself out to. The conversation flowed well and we had a lot in common. I was interested, but cautious. Before he left, he asked for my number and my gut gave me the go ahead. Since that time we’ve been on three dates and we’re about to go on our forth. And it made me realize something I had been doing in my previous six year relationship (see my post history for how that crashed and burned). I had been planning all our dates and basically telling my partner when to show up. This man is the complete opposite. He texts me with a plan already made up, a time a place, all that good stuff. And then he nicely invites me to accompany him. It’s clear what we’re doing, when we’re doing it, and he makes it clear that he enjoys my company and wants to see me.

I didn’t even realize I was missing out on this until the situation was right in my face! And ladies let me tell you it feels really nice.

I’m still being cautious and vetting, and I don’t expect this to go further than casual dating as I’m still recovering from my previous relationship, but it’s been a wonderful lesson for me of how I deserve to be treated, and that there are people out there who respect and value the people they date. Mind blowing!!