Interesting thread, thought id share my last week as its somewhat related. My attitude to dating has changed lately, not sure if its right or wrong but it is what it is for now. Hell who knows, maybe I'm just too comfortable with being single at this point.
So I've been out on two first dates in the last week. I got back on the online apps, more so just looking for some conversation from boredom but open to dates if someone caught my eye. Plus the aspect of the app giving instant gratification by seeing who would match, which ends up being what the apps are used more for anyway. (which reminds me that video you posted about relationships, I related a ton to it)
Two women I was chatting with for a bit ended up asking me on the same day if I wanted to get together. The first was younger (25) and while the conversation at dinner was decent, I didn't see it going anywhere and we haven't talked since the date. I'm sure she would have went out again if I asked, but she just wasn't for me.
Dinner with the second woman went much better. We have quite a few things in common (except having kids, I keep attracting women without kids for some reason). Anyway, I know she had a good time and I did also, I mentioned as I walked her to her car we should do this again sometime but didn't make definite plans and I gave her a hug but didn't attempt a kiss, didn't feel like the right time but I considered it. I actually thought about your story with the guy rushing the kiss before we walked to her car, haha. Anyway, she texted me to see if I got home ok and we both said we had a good time and said good night.
I haven't texted her back since then and that was Monday night. I considered texting her on valentines day but at the same time it didn't feel right and more so I didn't feel the strong urge to. I'm very busy right now so I don't want to start a precedent where I start to look at every interaction of whos texting first and if its my turn to go first, so I stay away from texting as much as I can. I also feel like its more important to get to know someone in person so we actually have stuff to talk about on dates.
I work full time, go to school two nights a week, have a men's group another night and have my kids 4 nights a week. More than ever I am beginning to love freedom on being single and the idea of a relationship seems so foreign. My time is limited and anyone I'm seeing has to be patient with that and me. It might bite me in the ass and end up taking a very long time for me to start a relationship that goes more than a few dates but taking things slow is something very important to me. I rushed into a R with the ex and I wont do it again, so that drives some of my actions.
So, not sure this helps at all but thought I would share my perspective
Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be
