#FirstDate #FirstDates #Dating #Single #Kilkenny #RiverNore #Ireland #LEGO

Last week I asked, “Why are you single?”  That question was more about what happened in your past relationship to put you back on the dating scene.  This week’s question is more about how come you aren’t in a relationship yet.  Few people are lucky enough to find a good match on their very first first date, but I know that it happens. I haven’t been lucky in that way, but I wouldn’t lead off a first date by telling them I’ve been on over 50 first dates in the last four years!  That wouldn’t be very appealing. But inevitably, some variation of “How long have you been dating?” comes up. And when it does, I tell them about my journey so far. Why I’m dating in the first place (widower with love left to give). And why it hasn’t worked out (I’ve met some lovely women, and even dated a few for a while, but nothing has worked out so far).

Does that make me picky? Of course I’m picky! But I wouldn’t say I have ridiculous standards. In fact, I have an open mind and often think of the lyrics to Scarlet Begonias by the Grateful Dead:

Once in a while, you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right

I probably look strange to many, but if they look at me right, maybe they’ll see my light.  And vice versa. ❤️

I’ve also struggled a bit with culture clash. Having moved to a new country has many challenges. One of those challenges for me was finding common ground with the women I was dating. I don’t know how exactly to describe it, but in very general ways, Irish women are unlike American women. This was something that should be obvious, but I didn’t expect it. Even though English is the common language, the use of English differs, but that’s a topic for another day. Suffice to say, I said and did things that were extremely confusing to the women I dated.

And lastly, I’m still dating because I won’t give up! Just because it hasn’t worked out so far, doesn’t mean it won’t work out. I have a very good feeling that 2022 is going to be my year. Will it be your year too?