First Date in a LONG Time!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
First Date in a LONG Time!
6
Mon, 11-21-2005 - 3:30pm
After taking a break from dating for a long time, I decided to test the waters again. I re-opened my match and eharmony accounts. I was winked at and this cute cajun guy (single dad) and I started emailing. So, we decided to meet after about a week of funny emails and one good phone conversation.
Well, even though you are NOT supposed to make a movie and dinner your first date, it went very well. We had dinner at a steakhouse and visited for about an hour and a half. I was very comfortable (although nervous) with him. We sure don't run out of things to talk about. The movie (Walk the Line) was excellent!
Oh, he also brought me flowers which shocked and pleasantly surprised me! We talked on the phone last night and I have gotten a couple of very nice text messages. So, we are going to get together again after Turkey Day.
I have had such bad dating experiences it would be nice to lose my reputation as a weirdo magnet! We shall just see how things go. I am glad to be cautiously optimistic instead of cynical. It's a nice change.
Stephanie
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Mon, 11-21-2005 - 6:21pm
That is really cool!! Way to go!! We will be rooting for you to have a "normal" and successful experience!! Go slow and keep us posted!!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Tue, 11-22-2005 - 9:38am
Trust me, SLOW is the ONLY way I will go! I told him that and he was perfectly fine and agreed. I have never had a "normal" dating experience. Just Jerry Springer episodes. Normal would be a nice change!
Stephanie
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Tue, 11-22-2005 - 10:39am
Does he live close to you? Have fun!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Tue, 11-22-2005 - 10:52am
He lives about 45 minutes away. I AM having fun!
Stephanie
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Tue, 11-22-2005 - 1:00pm

That's not too far :) Oh, I wanted to say one more thing about the online dating thing. It can work out well. I met my current SO (been dating for one year now) online. He lives in the same town as me and rode the exact same train to work with me for almost 4 years (i often saw him on the way to work and back), we knew some of the same people, but we never would have gotten together if it wasn't for online dating.

Keep your profiles up and options open at this stage of the game. Let him pursue you. This is how I distinguished myself from the other ladies who tried to date my SO when he was doing the online thing. The other women were clammering to get dates with him, but I sat back and let him ask me out. He quickly decided he wanted to date me exclusively and he brought up the subject of taking down profiles.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Tue, 11-22-2005 - 2:11pm
I had a terrible online dating experience a couple of years ago. But, you are going to meet jerks IRL and/or online. I have a good friend who met her fiance on eharmony. I also know of two other ladies that met their spouses online. But, I have no illusions either. It is just when you work and have kids, you don't have alot of opportunities to meet single men. Or at least, I don't!
ITA with you about letting them do the chasing. I have a very good male friend from High School that has repeatedly told me that. My profiles are still up and I am emailing another man who is due home from Iraq in a couple of weeks. We have alot in common. So, I am definitely keeping my options open. I am just gonna sit back and try to enjoy myself.
Thanks for your advice!
Stephanie