It is crazy to think that when we become teenagers then adults, we embark on the journey of finding our other half. And in order to do that, for most of us, we got to date a good amount of people until we find our so-called person. Well for those lucky few of you find that person when your kids, or when your middle or high school teenagers, I guess you get to save yourself a heartbreak or two. Besides the fact, no matter what age we are, we are all just trying to figure out who we are going to be, what we are going to do and how that all will come to fruition.

With that being said, I have noticed time is always on our side, it helps you see someone for who they truly are, not what their words tell you. Over the years, I have learned to listen more to what someone’s actions say versus their words. I like to say I am a big believer in that quote, “words tell you who someone wants to be while actions tell you who they truly are”, I think that is how the quote goes, right?! Well besides the fact of not knowing the exact wording, maybe someone can eventually look it up, correct me and send me the correct wording; I’d greatly appreciate that. As I write this, I have all these memories/stories flood into my mind, but for the sake of time, and me actually hoping to turn my many heartbreaks into a book one day, I am not going to share it all in one go. Because well that would be overwhelming and I don’t think any of you would want to spend that much time reading about all my crazy, interesting and insightful dating stories. Honestly, let me take you, yes the person reading this on a first date, let’s get acquainted with one another, I promise I won’t make this awkward, unless you or I do.

So now that I asked you to go on this first (virtual) date that is because #COVIDSTILLEXISTS, so trying to practice all the safety and social distancing protocols. And well you just had to accept my request because you must not have anything better going on if you are reading this, or maybe you’re genuinely intrigued by my dating life, which is honestly non-existent at this point because… well we will get to that soon so please be patient with me (and hopefully love me for me, isn’t that what we all want?!) Here we are sitting down, right across from one another at that coffee shop or restaurant we both agreed on. As both of us talk, well I think each of us endure yet again another round of small talk because no one wants to get deep on the first date, because you don’t want to think the person right across from you has any form of baggage (and no one wants to carry that around like luggage).

But as both of you get comfortable, you start to notice that you aren’t alone when it comes to this never ending game of dating, if you win I guess your either married or in a relationship, well if you don’t then your likely single or just had your heartbroken. I guess you can call me both a winner and loser when it comes to game of dating. I hate to call dating a game, yet in our young adult years it feels just like that, it seems like people either use you for their own self serving interests, ghost or gaslight you. Don’t get me started on the dating apps, or your friends trying to set you up yet again with one of their friends. I feel all options are great when it comes to dating. Well I have yet to meet that person where it all just makes sense. Like people say you know, when you know and I thought I have, but maybe I am just a cat with nine lives (I have lost 3 already if you’re wondering) who has yet to meet the purr-fect match for me. I don’t believe in soulmates, or love at first sight, but according to some sources it exists, like they found someone in the midst of it all, wish I could fall into whatever trap or contraption they fell into. Don’t we all hope for that one day, where we can just do life with our partner, best friend and build a life we are both proud of and get a dog or two while we are at it.

I know we all hope for these things, and if you reading this are like no I don’t at all well can I have what you are drinking. I know we all order drinks and take shots at the same bar, hoping that person will walk through that door or we will make eye contact and find them in a crowded room. But sorry to break it to you, that’s not reality or life. Meaning you can be like me who has dated more people than I can remember, because I thought well that’s what you are supposed to do in your twenties after you get your heart broken by the guy who you first seriously dated and thought you’d build a life with. News flash, it was not meant to be and I am beyond happy we parted ways, because I know the path I am on after many detours and pitstops will lead me to my person, or hopefully (actually I know) the person who will accept and love me for me.

I guess what I am trying to say to the person reading this is not to give up hope, because well I have many times yet here I am still a hopeless romantic. Here I am, yet again single, because I am not settling and well let’s just say I needed to take some time for myself too. As one of my friends likes to joke is that I was in a relationship with dating for the past year, and well she was not wrong. I even like to joke that I have survived a mandemic in the midst of a pandemic. In all seriousness, I know what it feels like to be alone, to be in love and to wonder if you will ever find that person. If no one has told you this, I want you to know you are worthy of love and someone who doesn’t make you feel like a liability. I know the lines sometimes get blurred, yet with time it will become a lot clearer of what you want in a partner. So in the meantime, I encourage you to keep doing the things you love, meeting new people and experimenting (whatever that may be, just remember practice safety). I like to say love is like an experiment, where most of the time you have all the steps/directions right in front of you, yet you keep not getting the intended result until after many attempts you finally get it right. If you didn’t get it wrong, your heart broken or have yet another token of you taken, you would never know and appreciate a love that is meant for you. I truly believe two people are made for each other, your partner should be there to challenge, support and comfort you. And we all find that person at different points in our lives, so do not compare your pitstop to someone’s destination. Until you find that you should not settle for anything less than someone who wants to be your best friend, partner and lover.

PS I hope our first (virtual) date with one another went somewhat well, despite some of the detours along the way. Do stick with me though for a second date, because I am excited to share what’s ahead and it might just involve some helpful, laughable and insightful tips. Just know I got the tip covered, if you got the bill. Well can’t wait to see where it goes from here, so jump in, buckle up and let’s get going. And take our time to get to know one another, before we jump ship, I promise the