“I don’t think you’ve ever really been in love.”
Mr. Man tells me this as I sit cross-legged on the couch, our knees are touching and he is holding my hands in his. This is his conclusion after weeks of us talking and learning about each other’s checkered pasts – the pasts that led us together in this moment.
“It just doesn’t sound like a man has ever treated you right in your life,” he says as he looks into my eyes. I dart them to the ground as I realize how right he is.
“You must be scared as hell,” he says.
He’s absolutely right. I feel my armor thicken as I respond, “It’s true. Every experience I’ve had with a man has ended with me on the losing end, financially, emotionally – all around.”
Mr. Man bears a close resemblance to Heath Ledger. Think Heath Ledger in Broke Back Mountain – not gay (obviously) and no long hair but with the thick southern drawl, the chiseled arms, the defined chin and cheekbones. Mr. Man is all man. His flannel shirt sleeves hang over his weathered hands, which are twice the size of mine – not in length but in width. He used them to take my garbage out the other night.
“It’s okay,” I said impulsively, “I can get it.”
“No – I’m getting it.” He pauses and looks at my face that’s now softened into shocked appreciation. “Gosh, you really haven’t had anyone help you out before have you?” No, I shake my head.
“These city boys must be weak or something.”
He lifts my trash as if it’s a feather and hauls it outside. I’m still in shock. He just helps out, without being asked. Maybe it’s because he’s a single father or maybe he’s just a gentleman. Regardless, I’m definitely falling into that rabbit hole.
There’s much, much more… but again – still trying to keep this one close to my chest as one of you told me, “Let it bloom.”
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I’m so happy for you!! It’s about time you meet someone worthy of your time!
Come give me some inspiration!!
I’ve been a single father to my daughter for almost 7 years…brand new to blogging…have no idea what I am doing.
Please come to my brand new blog….jaya-maryville.blogspot.com
I think I have a test blog you can leave a reply and let me know SOMEONE IS OUT THERE
I love reading mssinglemama!! Glad you met someone nice:)
later….jay
Aww, that is so sweet. And you and he give me hope, please tell me there are still some good guys out there, cause I am quickly losing my faith over here. Sigh, at least my little man is still a sweetie pie.
It is so nice to hear that there are still good men AVAILABLE in this world…keep us in the loop!
This guy sounds so super cool!!!!
And you sound super happy
Enjoy it!!!!!
This is how we are supposed to be treated…it will take some getting used to, trust me. I’ve found my Mr. Man and it was and still is hard to get used to–being treated with respect and compromise, that is. We are used to being with the “bad boys” and having to struggle and fight for attention and support that we forget that “good guys” really do exist.
Good Luck with everything..it’s funny what happens once we loosen our grip a little, huh???
You deserve to be treated this well. Learning that is one of the hardest things to do when you’ve always been taught (by experience) that you don’t deserve it.
I am so happy for you!
Sounds very sweet, I hope it works out.
Yeaa for you. There aren’t very many of us “good guys” left in the world. Remember, it’s alright to be a “little” cautious but don’t let him get fustrated because you don’t let him in. He sounds like he’s got you pegged…
I hope this blooms into the biggest Bird of Paradise flower imaginable.
I so understand that armored feeling and not wanting to admit that some help would be nice. We have gotten so used to doing it all on our own, haven’t we? I’m so glad that you have connected with someone who treats you with kindness and respect. It’s encouraging to know that some of these gems are still out there
Yes girl. Let it bloom.
Nurture it , care for it and be patient with it. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Still, its nice to have someone see you right through that armor, isn’t it?
He sounds wonderful. We’ll all cheering for you!
Aw, man! I had to miss some entries. Is this Cabin guy?
Your words mean so much right now… and you’re right – he IS a good one and there are still good ones left. Actually, he has quite a few friends. : )
April – no, not cabin man. You’re the second person to ask! But, nope… not him.
I’m sooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fall lady…fall! (just put that parachute on for a ’sence’ of security…but fall deep…
I am surprised about all this praise. How low can you go with you expectations? Just because he takes out the garbage, doesn’t make him “THE MAN”, it only makes him the-garbage-man! Aim for more and do not get swiped off your feet by easy to impress tactics. Does he wash dishes, too? That would fall under the same “look at me” strategy/category!
KE – actually, this is just the tip of the iceberg, this post is just one example but I think small gestures like these actually stack up to equal a lot.
He actually does wash dishes, cooks and does laundry. All HUGE pluses for a single mom – believe me.
There’s much more to this story so I guess you’ll all just have to trust me on this one – but I will be clarifying more in the future.
I love that scenario with him taking out the garbage — just basically saying, “I’m going to get it.”
I had a similar experience with a guy I’m dating. He was going into work today later than usual, so last night he said, “I’ll drive you to work in the morning.”
I said, “Oh, no, that’s okay. It’s out of your way. You can drop me off at the Metro if you want –”
“No,” he said. “I’m taking you.”
So I shut up and stopped fighting.
I understand that these gestures are huge pluses for actually anybody…..That’s why these services are available for hire, heck, you can even buy sexual favors for that matter.
Get a maid for these services, but hang with somebody that lifts your spirit, not your garbage. As long as he does that, too – good!
Aim higher!