The Art of a Kind Goodbye...

I believe in striving to be positive and kind.  My hope is that things are always just a little bit better for me being involved in them, even if they didn’t have the hoped-for outcome.  Life is too filled with disappointments, critics and nay-sayers to not remind people of why you value them.  I believe if you think something positive about someone, you should certainly say it.

During my post-divorce dating journey, there have been a few men I have spent more time with than a date or two.  Even though the majority don’t make it to a second date, there have been a few that piqued my interest enough that I wanted to see if there was relationship potential.  Regardless of why it ended at some point, it doesn’t change for me the fact that I thought enough of these men to give them my time and for those things, I am grateful.  For those same reasons, I want to remind them what drew me to them in the first place. 

Selfishly, I am also a person who likes closure so I like to tidy up anything else I need to say.  Now, all of these more significant players have remained friendly with me and I am grateful for this.  I don’t have any interest in being dramatic.  Oh, I know everyone says they hate drama and rarely actually avoid creating it at some point, but I really do.  Sure, I could tell the man what I didn’t appreciate about him but what good does that do besides create enemies and people you want to hide from if you see them at the grocery store?  I have no interest in that at all.  And I believe that if I put our positivity in my dating all the time, then not only will it be returned to me, but eventually it will bring the right person to me. 

Additionally, being a writer, I think sometimes it’s much easier for me to express myself through a letter with well thought out words than off the cuff.  A goodbye letter is also therapeutic for me and helps me get my thoughts organized for myself.  Often the letters are filled with emotion and exchanged back and forth for a better understanding of each other, even if it doesn’t change the results.  But overall, my number one goal is to thank them for what they contributed to me along this journey.  Each man, even the first-date-only ones, has helped me better define what I AM looking for…so remember, these are not failures, they are stair steps to the goal at the top of the stairs…the partner you’ve been wanting. 

Even the one-date-only men get a Thank you text and a polite message saying I don’t feel we’re a match and wishing them luck on their search.  I do believe there is someone for everyone…probably many someones, it can just take a while to find them.  Some of these same men have come to call on me to ask for dating advice and this would not have happened if I did the popular “fade out” or told them exactly why I didn’t think they are a match.  I promise, ladies, if you are positive, you will bring positivity to your dating life!

I am sincerely grateful for each of the lessons I’ve learned.  From the catalyst, I got to get my dating feet wet in a very safe place.  From the country boy I was able to find a quieter place in my life and find more peace after living with a chaotic ex husband for so many years.  From the preacher man I was extravagantly cared for and he showed me my worth.  From Metaphor man I learned vulnerability and to open myself up completely, without fear.      Even though I haven’t found true love yet, these men all made me a better version of myself, bred confidence in me and have helped me become a better catch for when my true love finds me. 

Of course the one-date guys have taught me some interesting, yet invaluable lessons…these men include Vice Principals to Farmers, Vice Presidents to Welders, Truck drivers to PhD’s, all looking for love, and/or sex.  I’ve learned first and foremost, texting or emailing too long before actually meeting can be a big mistake…the longer you talk, the more of a fantasy person you build up in your mind where rarely do your expectations match reality and it falls flat.  “Kissy Face” taught me that noticing the times of their availability may very well mean they are cheating on someone with you.  Several have taught me to not be too picky from the get-go…you can’t always judge a book by its cover, a man by his poor attempt at a dating profile…and that my dear friends, can go EITHER way.  I’ve also learned there are some really GREAT men out there who are amazing catches, even when they aren’t right for you and possibly for the most ridiculous reasons.  I’ve learned that there are men in open marriages or men that are openly looking for cheat who make no apologies about it.  I’ve learned to identify almost right away the men who really just want sex, no matter what else they tell you.  And these things have made ME more confident and wise, more trusting of my instincts from the start and that, as my friend Patrick says…each one is one step closer to true love! 

So I encourage you to be honest, open and positive not just to the men you really like and are most hopeful about, but even in the saying goodbye.  Be kind…there are too many people in this world who aren’t and then be kind to yourself.  Remember each time you practice the art of a kind, positive goodbye, you are one step closer to an amazing and future-changing hello!