Clearly a glutton for punishment

[DonH]

I hear you! I get it. I've lived it! It is interesting to note (and you probably have already thought this on your own) how you seem to be getting from this guy what you claimed not too long ago you wanted. You wanted a guy that texted you in the morning and goodnight. You wanted someone who actually tried and put in effort. You're getting what you asked for, maybe more than you asked for, only now...

But it takes more than that. He's trying too hard. Of course the flip side of that is nice guys finish last. But then also, if he's faking this it's a big no and a total turnoff. But if he's really like this it's also a big no and a total turnoff.

I very much agree with you needing to call guys on their [censored]. LH said it himself. I'll tell you that anyone who doesn't call me on my stuff gets runover. Why rise to meet someone's standards if you're already exceeding them? Right, wrong or indifferent, doing this will make me a much better man. You most certainly need to.

In the end, however, all you can be is yourself. Sure guys like the Coach can try to teach people how to act other than who they are and that might get them in the door but at some point the real guy or the real you is going to show up. I just thought this following my most recent date with the tall chick that I was told here I had lost because I didn't do this that or the other. Yes, we've finally gone out a few times. After the latest, I found myself thinking, or wondering if I maybe should have done this or that or said this or that. But in the end, I am who I am. And I say this to say to you, you just need to be you. The you that talks to us here. The you that works everyday. The you who's a great mom and friend. Just be you and if the guy fits he fits. If not, he doesn't. Sounds like maybe those guys didn't reject you - they rejected the version of you that you were providing.

As for this guy - stop the texting. Talk on the fricking phone already. I'd try that first. As for going on the date because you don't want to disappoint him... he's going to be much much much more disappointed if he goes out with you and goes home thinking it was a great date and can't wait to see you again. At some point you're going to have to tell him. Now if you're hoping maybe something clicks better in person, yeah, go give it a try. But if you really don't think it will and you really don't want to hurt hurt his feelings, I'd tell him now and not let him get even higher hopes. Or perhaps just be honest with him - tell him, look, dude, you seem to be trying way too hard here and that's a turn off. Is this the real you? Just ask him. Who knows, there might be a decent guy in there once he dials it back a bit. After all, there's a great woman behind whatever version of G you had been putting out there.