Next phase: Divorce and Acceptance

[Pax_luv]

Thank you, Pinn! That means a lot coming from someone I greatly respect! Yep, I was one of those people that was on here every spare second of the day in desperate search of the formula that would help me piece back my marriage and life. I didn't find that formula, nor did I have to opportunity to "test" things out with ex, but I really got so much more. I'm grateful for that.

Ciluzen, thank you! I owe it to people like you who have given me perspective either on my thread or theirs that have helped me along this journey. Which by the way, is far from over. So much work still to be done with myself and the official burning of the marriage contract.

re: dog. It's really hard to say who he "favors". When I lived at the house, he was my baby- always snuggling with me, always playing with me, and following me around. However, since ex didn't work, he was often the one who took him to the dog park during the day and did daily errands with him. With our current arrangement, ex still has him longer so I don't know how the dog feels or what their life is when they're together. We don't talk!

Ciluzen, great perspective on the the stubbornness and control. I think you nailed it on the head.

Bttrfly.... Dating..... Because of DBing I definitely have a very positive outlook on things and just embrace getting to know people as they are. No expectations, just remaining open to experiences

So, date 1 took me to a fancy restaurant where we had cocktails on the rooftop bar overlooking the ocean, it was accompanied with a gorgeous sunset.

Date 2 brought me flowers and we took a long walk along the water to a restaurant that was playing live music. He knows I'm super active so he planned the walking route accordingly

I was really tired for date 3 so he accommodated and met me close to my place. I liked that he was a gentleman and opened the door, pulled out my chair, etc. I looooove these manners in men, but SoCal guys don't really aspire to this level of gentleman-ship. So, sadly, I don't expect it, and am pleasantly surprised when I do get that. Even better when the man walks on the outside. Love it.

For date 4, we went beer tasting, which was fun. This guy had a ton of energy and is a bit of an Indiana Jones which I like... (Trekking through Borneo, etc) but his ego was a bit inflated. Got to get to know him better.

Tonight I'm going out with date #3 again. He works in peds icu and I like that he has a childlike personality because that's who he's constantly around. He is filed with cheesy jokes and it's cute.

So, yeah, just taking each experience as it comes and taking it one day at a time