Date with the new guy had to be rescheduled due to weather and illness. We are going to grab coffee this weekend instead.
I did meet him on a dating app, May. Honestly, I have no qualms swiping left on the great majority of men simply because I feel they can't meet me where I'm at and they don't have anything to offer me.
I'm about to be 32 years old. I'm a single mother raising my baby (essentially) on my own. I earn six figures in a software marketing role. I've navigated a pretty brutal betrayal and abandonment by my son's father. I handled the financial settlement required to buy my own home. I'm a tough broad! I don't need a man. Honestly, I'm not even sure that I want one. I have plenty of meaningful relationships with both men and women. But dating is part of the human experience, and it's something I've never done before, so I'm seeing what it's all about.
I vet these profiles very carefully. The slightest red flag is enough for me to unmatch and block a man without hesitation or regret. I absolutely am judgemental because it means I value myself too much to settle again. I am a prize and have always treated my partner the same way. My next partner will either reciprocate that effort or there won't be a next partner
On the divorce side of things, it looks like X will be served on Thursday morning when he has S2. It's the only time I could be sure he'd be at home. I'd prefer he was served at work, but I don't know where he works any more.
Thanks for the financial tips, DnJ. I'm meeting with the advisor tomorrow so I'll be sure to keep those in mind. Love the idea of investing time. Creating traditions and rituals and inside jokes that will last for years to come. That's super important to me. When you think back to your own childhood, those are the things that shape who you are. I want that for S2. We do dinner around the table most nights and you should see how much this boy eats! One dinner last week he ate two grilled chicken kabobs, a garden salad, some garlic bread, then two pears and a banana for dessert. He eats more than I do.
Single rather than divorced - I like that distinction. Single sounds like freedom and possibility.
S2 has been talking about families recently. A family is mummy, daddy, and baby. Not in our case, my lad. So I took the opportunity to sit him on my knee and give him a little lesson.
Me: S2, you are such a lucky boy to have two families. You have Mama and S2 in one family, and Dada and S2 in another family. Two families - wow!
He considered this for a moment.
S2: I have two families. Not you, just me!
Me: That's right. You are such a lucky boy.
I bought him a book called Love Makes a Family and we read that together. Then we snuggled.
Me: What do kisses and cuddles mean?
S2: It means I love you! Mama, I love you very, very much.
Me: I love you very, very much.
I figured that was enough of an explanation for a two-year old.
