They Weren’t All Bad

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In contrast to what I usually post (i.e., “I rock, men are stupid.), I’ve been challenged to share some happy examples from my time spent dating. This is both easier and harder than you may think. I’ve had more than my share of fun coffee or dinner dates where there was plenty of laughter and conversation. Those are difficult to write about, however, because who wants to read, “And then we shared a good laugh over office politics?”

Never one to shy away from a challenge though—and also to prove that I’m not a curmudgeon at heart—I give you three real-life, these-were-totally-awesome, dating moments.

Good Date #1

I met my date for a trail run (Calm down, Mom, it wasn’t a first date. I knew him.) with plans that we would grab a casual dinner after. Instead, at the end of the run he produced a picnic basket...

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The Dating Diaries: Throwback Thursday

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I almost forgot about this one. Which would have been tragic, because it’s too good not to share.

How to start? 

Remember what you considered romantic as a teenager or maybe even dating in your early twenties? And I assume you are in touch now with how it kind of makes you cringe to even think about what you used to think of as sexy?

This is a story about a guy who apparently had such success in his youth with his Rico Suave moves that he never felt the urge to change or upgrade them.

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Dating Diaries: An Awkward Moment

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“Oh, sh**!”

I work in an open office environment so pretty much every head turned my way. I sat at my desk, staring down at my phone in horror. I looked up to see everyone’s quizzical stares and started laughing. Sometimes it’s the only thing you can do.

5 Minutes Earlier

A box of beautifully decorated chocolate-covered strawberries was delivered to my desk. There was no note, but I’d been dating someone for a couple months so I had no doubt whom the gift was from.

I shot him a text: “You’re the best! I love chocolate-covered strawberries.”

And the inevitable reply: “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

In case you’ve never been there, receiving a text such as this is not a happy feeling.

I texted back: “Are you being serious?”

Him: “Yes. I assume someone sent you strawberries, huh?”

I’m a writer and I can tell you, there simply is no good answer to that question.

Luckily, the guy I was dating took it in stride. As for the strawberries, I racked my brain and asked a few people but could never figure out who sent them. It wasn’t until months later the person—a guy I’d dated some time before, briefly, before it ended badly—had sent them.

Awkward dating moments. You’ve got to love them.

Cheers,

Dena

The Dating Diaries: Convenience Backfires

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In an admirable “don’t-dish-it-out-if-you-can’t-take-it” display of solidarity, today’s Dating Diaries doesn’t call out the bad behavior of men. Instead, I’m pointing the finger at myself.

Naturally, when you start dating after 20 years of marriage, safety is a top concern.  It ranks right up there for me with “convenience.”

So when I started online dating and I got past the “I’m pretty sure you’re not an ax murderer” stage and it was time to meet, I picked a sushi restaurant near my home. 

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