Amorous attorney
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| Tue, 11-02-2004 - 4:30pm |
Anyway, for many years my family has had a friend and lawyer, Richard. He has always been there for my family and advised me through my 2 divorces. He has been involved in my life as long as I can remember, popping up here and there at family functions and giving legal help when needed to all my family members. He is a very caring and nice man.
On the day my second divorce was final Richard arrived at the courthouse (I was surprised to see him, he wasn't scheduled to be there), presented me with an envelope, told me to read it and promptly departed. Inside were some legal papers regarding my finances, and also a handwritten letter from him to me, telling me that he had been "smitten" with me for many years and saying he was in love with me. Yes, he's older but that's not the issue I'm really concerned with. I don't really know how to feel. I'm surprised, but not really that surprised I guess. I can look back now and better understand things he said and did in my past. When my college ex popped up after my first divorce, Richard cautioning me against getting serious with him. Whenever he saw me during that period he always asked after the relationship in a subtle way, and he was not very jovial at my second wedding. He seemed sad (although at the time I didn't really take notice). I remember my mother commenting that he was just sad b/c he was still single and weddings make single people depressed.
Anyway, a few days after he gave me the letter I called him to see if he wanted to talk about it. We met for coffee that afternoon and I told him I didn't understand the timing. Why tell me this on the day I get divorced? Why not years before? Or why not wait until some time went by since emotionally I am probably not great dating material the day I get divorced, even though I was relieved to get divorced. He said that the last time he "waited for some time to go by" an ex popped up and beat him to the punch (and the altar). He said after years of kicking himself for waiting too long to tell me how he felt, he wasn't going to let it happen again.
I don't really know what to do. I like him a lot and care about him a lot. He's a great person and such a great catch for any woman. I'm not really physically attracted to him but that's not to say I couldn't be. I just never thought about him in that way. I worry that if I start dating him and find out I don't feel attracted to him, then things don't work out, and how that will affect his longstanding relationship with my family, and with me. It will make things so awkward between everyone. But...do I let a potentially good catch slip away just for fear of "what if"?
What would you do?
| Tue, 11-02-2004 - 6:56pm |
