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Dear Sandy,
I have been divorced for three years. The first two years, I worked on myself to recover and get to know myself again. Last January, I felt I was ready to date, so I went on Match. In July, I met a man who was a widower of nine months. He knew I was looking for a serious relationship and wanted to meet me.
I’ve told him that I want things to stay just the way they are. I’m not asking any more of him. We are very happy together, so I want to just appreciate what we have. I just celebrated my 60th birthday, and he took me away for two beautiful weeks in Arizona. We also brought in the New Year together. He has been so romantic, and he said it was the best New Year’s he’s had in many years.
My concern is that he will never commit because I am the first woman he’s dated since the loss of his wife. He has never said he cares for me, but he always acts like we are “together.” He is so wonderful to me. I’m really falling in love with him but don’t want to scare him away.
How long does it usually take a man to feel he is ready for a commitment after being widowed? I’m so afraid that after the honeymoon stage of our relationship is over, he might have the urge to play. I don’t want to waste time or have my heart broken. I hope you can give some advice to me about dating a widower.
Thank you,
Debbie
Dear Debbie,
First, kudos to you for taking the time to focus on yourself for the first two years post-divorce. So important. I did the same, and it has improved the quality of my life exponentially.
In terms of widowers, each one must be looked at as an individual case.
No two people are exactly alike and process in the same way. Widowers vary in their readiness for dating and relationships. Some never move on, and others date almost immediately after loss with mixed results.
Now, let’s look at the relationship you’re in with this widower, knowing that you met him only 9 months after losing his wife. Unlike you, he didn’t take much time to heal before dating. He did tell you at the start that he wasn’t ready for anything serious.
I’m afraid that you may have met him at the wrong time.
When you start dating someone who’s not on the same page as you, it’s nearly impossible for him to come around and be what you need him to be. It’s far more effective to begin dating someone who is emotionally available and build from there.
What happened has happened, and your gut is telling you that your feelings for him are stronger than his for you. He doesn’t say he cares for you, but he is showing his affection through his actions. He’s still on Match, and you’ve shut down your profile. You’re scared he’ll tire of you and want to play. You may or may not be right. But, your intuition is smart. Don’t override it.
Have a courageous conversation with him about how you feel.
Know what you must have in a relationship, and don’t compromise that for anyone, no matter how awesome they are. I suggest you have a courageous conversation with him about your feelings and concerns. He may surprise you and tell you that he is falling in love with you, too. And he may also say he’s not on the same page. Be prepared for any answer. As painful as it might be to hear that he doesn’t want what you want, it will be much better to know the truth now and walk away with your dignity intact than to keep hoping he’ll somehow come around.
xoxo
Sandy
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This article was originally published on LastFirstDate.com and is republished here with permission from the author.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
I met a man who is a two time widower. Both very happy marriages. One a car accident, and the other cancer. Both of them died in his arms… heartbreaking. He’s a wonderful and good man and we really connected. However, he has asked me how I would feel in a relationship with a man who still loves both women. My answer is that they are part of who he is, and I honor his love for them. As much as I care for him, I need some advice on this situation because he has been widowed twice. Before I… Read more »