Remember when I told you about my mom's high school boyfriend contacted her out of the blue?
Well, apparently they've been talking. A lot. For the past six weeks. You guys, this is HUGE. After my parents' divorce, my mom swore off men for life. And now she's actually kind of excited about a guy? I can't help but feel a little giddy inside.
Of course, she throws in the self-protective statements like, "I know it won't go anywhere" and "I'll never move back to Alabama," but underneath that I can tell she is really enjoying this reconnection. So, I'm just trying to be supportive, listen well, and encourage her to keep the conversation going.
It's strange--when a friend starts talking about a crush, I sometimes check out because I'm still getting over the relative newness (or the acceptance of) my singleness. But the fact that it's my mom, someone who swore she'd never talk to another man, who never thought she could be pursued by someone, who never thought she'd be open to those feelings--it gives me a lot of hope.
I have experimented with dating again. I thought I was ready. I'm not sure I am just yet. I told my therapist that I pretty much get a sick feeling right before all of my dates; I have this deep sense of not wanting to go through with it. She said, "Sweetie, then why are you doing it?"
I'm doing it because I feel like in order to get what I want, I have to try really, really hard--balls to the wall hard. And if I don't date now, I'm never going to get what I want (hello, inner critic with your unhelpful superlative talk). But, if dating is making me unhappy, then why would I do it?
So, knowing that my mom has just been going about her life as a content single woman and she's found connection again--it just gives me hope. It makes me feel ok about focusing on other things. And, it makes me incredibly happy for the woman who's given so much love to me to be on the receiving end for a change.
What happened to the tennis pro guy?
ReplyDelete@beth, Simply put, no chemistry, at least on my end.
ReplyDeleteI am SO happy for your mom, that is such an exciting thing for her. Like you said, just keep talking with her and supporting her and it'll happen the way it's supposed to.
ReplyDeleteAs for you, it's the same thing. Just let dating happen naturally. And I've got your back if you need me!
Hehe, and you could always come here! Fresh new place... maybe you'll meet the love of your life and have to move here ;-)
Awwww, I'm so excited to read this news for your mom (and I remember when you originally posted about how she reconnected with a man from her past). (Also, I was cornflakegirl74 previously. New name; new picture!).
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate to admit it, I think there's a lot of truth to the whole "it'll happen when you least expect it" logic. And your mom's story should most certainly give you hope that you have your entire life ahead of you and you will find someone special to spend it with. I think what's important to remember is to focus on what we have, when we have it. Let's not take anything for granted. There will come a time when you'll miss these days as a single woman and they can be beautiful and very exciting, too :)
this is exciting. keep us updated with your mom. My mum is single too
ReplyDeleteThat is so exciting for your mom!
ReplyDeleteAwww, I like this! Yay for hope springing eternal. :)
ReplyDelete