Be together. Be kind. Consider your partner before making plans. And always give them the benefit of the doubt. We build trust by being trustful and trustworthy. Kindness is the core skill in showing your affection and care for another person.
Are you able to move towards your partner, your relationship, your co-creation of a shared vision? As long as the answer is "YES" from both of you the journey of discovery can continue.
Let's not count out Facebook as a potential dating site, when we use it with courtesy and care. But be aware that Facebook relationships and Facebook breakups can be public and dramatic.
It's a long and exciting road towards the next romance in my life. The woman who I find has to be ready and energetic enough to keep up with me and my delusions of grandeur. And she will probably have delusions of her own.
While I do think there is value in online dating, I also believe there are problems inherent in the social click-me culture. But let's look at what's great about online dating.
Slowly but surely, with patience and grace, I will be in relationship again. Months from now, a year from now, I hope to be writing you again about "the love of my life." Heck if you don't believe it, how will you ever get there.
That's what we want. Ascendant love. Moving ever higher together. Fearlessly attacking the discord as it arrives unwelcome and unbidden. And we move through it with the other person, knowing they are going to stick around.
Relationships are fun. And now that we have our kids and our independence, we can be more intentional and clear about what we want in our next relationship. It doesn't have to be about marriage, but can be more about learning to love and feel loved again.