Dating.

My SO hadn’t told his parents he was dating, and when he said ‘so, mum Ive actually been seeing someone’ she immediately went ‘is it Fiona?’- apparently although we hadn’t met he talked about me constantly and she’d sussed.

We actually met through running team!

Yes I have burned myself- big cheek stripe!

My weekend was maybe a 6, not amazing :)

Thanks for such an honest post :) and good for you for dating again and having fun, you deserve it. My mom started dating after her divorce with two children, but that wasn’t a problem and we got a great stepdad who loves us. Hope everything goes well for you

So happy for you, Janae!

:-))). You really deserve to find happiness and I look forward to hearing about your dating adventures!

Ouch for the forehead and now I want candy for breakfast!

I have burned my forehead and neck several times n my life! Lol

My weekend was……a 9.

LOVE 75% off Easter candy…even if it is fostering my jelly bean addiction…

That quote you shared from your friend is amazing – absolutely true and so well written. I think it’s fantastic that you’re dating again since you feel ready for it. You deserve to be happy and loved!

Go Janae Go! You are way too fun and pretty to not start dating:)

I think that what your guy friend told you is SO true and quite awesome of him! I started dating my husband in college and my funny dating stories are too long :). We dated for about 1 year and were engaged for 2 months!
While everyone needs time to get over something like a divorce…there is no reason to dwell on it…I think getting out there and meeting someone will help :)… good for you!
Funny thing is that although I started dating him in college (We were both at the same small college and we both liked running) he was actually my AWANA (a youth group for kids) teacher when I was in jr high :)…I don’t remember because I only went to the group every once in awhile. He tells me I was the crazy girl who always brought friends :)!

I’m so glad you’re back out there. Dating after a hard breakup was always the thing that helped me move on the best. I met my husband at a bonfire through a mutual friend. We were friends for almost a year before he ever asked me out but we knew after the first date that we’d be together forever :) so cheesy lol

Omg! Such fun starting to date! I’m sure it’s weird but super exciting! That’s awesome! And 62 miles?!? Wowsers! Amazing! Will you com to colorado and teach me to run like you???

Thanks for sharing, whatever it takes to get you back out there laughing and having fun again is all that matters.

Dating Story – I once blind folded my fiance and drove her all over town so she wouldnt know where we were going and ended up going to one of our favorite restaurants with about 20 friends and family waiting.
How did we meet – Actually met through coed softball.
Weekend – 10, we had our race on Saturday, Fiance killed it with me pacing her the whole way, then post race fun with friends, great weekend.

http://runningschlub.blogspot.com/

Love what your guy friend wrote you. It’s very true!!!!
my weekend was a 10+++++
I PR’ed yesterday by almost 10 minutes at the NJ Marathon. I literally enjoyed the entire 26.2 and only felt the struggle physically somewhere around mile 23….but just told myself i only had to run a 5k.

I think it is great you are putting yourself out there – you deserve to be happy. I actually attempted a new curling method on my hair this weekend and burned my pinky pretty bad – I took it as a sign and stayed in for the night!

Ah, dating. I never thought I would be divorced, let alone dating again but found myself back in the dating scene almost five years ago. A crazy mix of funny stories, terrible times, terrific times and a few amazing relationships/people in between….Not easy as a divorced mom though in fact I have an article on the subject coming out soon. So much to be said about it! So glad you are enjoying yourself!

Wow, good for you! I’m not there yet. I’ve been with the same person since I was 19, so that’s fourteen years. A third of my life. Dating…I just can’t right now.

Do you find that it’s hard to find guys willing to date a girl with a kid? Especially since you are so young…IDK, just wondering how many under-30 guys are willing to sign up for instant parenthood.

That note from your friend was so sweet! And so true :)!

Truth is there isn’t a person on the planet without “baggage” so there is no need at all to feel self conscious for a second! It’s the tough stuff we go through that makes us better, kinder partners and people in general! Your parents seem amazing. Your daughter is incredible and you seriously deserve the BEST in a man. Be picky! So glad you are enjoying getting back to dating!

Good for you – and your friend is right. I imagine there are plenty of amazing people out there who would love a chance to date you, baggage and all! And we all have baggage, whether it’s from a divorce or bad childhood or something – no one is bag-free.

I met my husband in Honduras when I was in the Peace Corps. He worked on the bus that I took from my town into the city (where the bank and internet was) and I took the bus often so we got to know each other. We started dating and then 6 months later my tour was over and I moved back to the US. We stayed in touch and he got a visa three years later and we got married.

My weekend was maybe a 7-8, which is sad because it was my bday weekend and it should have been a 10. My husband isn’t great a celebrating me on special days (sounds horrible, but he didn’t celebrate a single bday or holiday or anything his entire life because he was too poor so he doesn’t quite get what he should do), so it was just mediocre. I did some hiking though and met my sister in Philly. So it wasn’t too horrible!

Somehow I’ve managed to burn myself on my wrist several times while curling my hair. Don’t ask me what weird acrobatics I must be doing to manage that.
I met my husband while we were on a study abroad in Germany. Our first date was at this ghetto restaurant. There were literally no other patrons eating, but people kept showing up with shaved heads and chains and leather and going in a back room. It was interesting.

It makes all of us smile to hear that you are happy.

When I was in college, I used the “I have a missionary” excuse if someone asked me out that I wasn’t sure of.

My sister and I lived together at BYU one year. She had at least one date every day for the first full month of school. She’d say “hi,” to someone on the stairs and they’d ask her out.

I had a fantastic weekend. Glad to hear you’re having a good time dating. It can be a lot of fun. And don’t feel bad, I burn myself with every styling tool that I own even with the focus of a samurai, I’m a hopeless klutz, I’ve just learned to embrace it.

This is exactly why I do not use curling irons and/or straightening irons. I mean, do you really want something that hot that close to your face? I stick with regular rollers if I’m that motivated to do my hair and let’s be honest that’s like never. Hey, better they see what they’re getting early than setting up unrealistic expectations.

Thanks for your post on dating; I recently started to date again also… and I am super nervous. I am not even sure how to meet guys because I refuse to do online-dating. Are you using an online-dating forum? Do you recommend it?

Easter candy is my favorite. I stock up the week after when everything is on sale!

My fiance and I met during summer vacation while in college. We went to different colleges though and didn’t reconnect until a year after graduation which is when we started dating.

Straightening iron burns are the worst! My weekend was a 4. I spent the entire weekend inside studying for exams. Next weekend will be a 10 though!

I’m from maryland (right outside of DC) and my husband is from Texas but we met in Florida! I moved there after college without any real plans. He was helping his best friend move in across the street. He walked into our apartments lobby while I was job searching (read: procrastinating on the internet), drenched in sweat after a run and smelling delicious I’m sure. He asked his friend (who I knew) who I was after we hugged hello. And then he pestered him to invite me over that night to hangout. He opened the door to our mutual friends apartment, we smiled at each other and my eyes locked on his gorgeous blue eyes. And the rest, as they say, is history. We haven’t stopped smiling since. I broke my lease a few months later to move to Texas (since the 700 mile 12 hour drive each way was slowly killing me) and now 4 years later were happily married and I stare into those same baby blues on our 2 beautiful sons :)

And PS, if you have not seen Austenland with Keri Russell and Jane Seymour you need to! I laughed so hard!! It’s on dvd now.

Good for you, Janae! You were dealt a horrific blow and I am glad you are dating again. No one can judge you, we don’t know what went on but I am happy you are getting out there.

Great idea for the Easter baskets…maybe we all should do that, the money we would save:)

You look really pretty in the pic with your nephew/nieces!

Yeah you for dating :) You are so sweet and tender hearted, thank you for sharing as I am sure you will be giving others, whether in similar or other challenging situations, encouragement. Sharing when you do not need to at all is a super duper plus too.

Enjoy and remember ~ you deserved to be loved whole hearted and whole soul, but not everyone deserves to love you. Be selective, use your family (especially Dad & Mom) for feedback. Its hard when love hormones are involved so our loved ones thoughts really help.

Have a great week :)

I love that you are dating! You deserve to be happy, in addition you’re right it gets you out of the house and helps you meet some fun peeps.

Um… I feel that forehead and side head burn marks where a permanent fixture on my head for many years… They still randomly occur BUT much less frequently!!!!

While my weekend was low key it was exactly what I needed… I have been on the go every wknd since the beginning of the month… so it was nice to just chillax and spend time with my little loves…. def a 10 in my book

Dating again sounds like it was definitely the right move for you. Glad you’re having fun!

I can’t think of any particularly great dating stories right now, but I met my husband while visiting a friend in college in Maine. We both lived in the same town in CT, but happened to be visiting our friends in Maine the same weekend. Go figure.

Oh and a terrible dating story… A friend from college set me up with her brother… We went out to dinner where he told me that I was fat and should be careful what I ordered for dinner, then wanted me to pay for him! I’m glad you are seeing better people :)

Yay! I’m so glad you’re dating!

My husband and I met on a month-long vacation in Italy (he’s half-Italian and has family connections over there). He kissed me for the first time in a piazza in Florence, Italy. It was all quite romantic.

Yes, I’ve burned myself a few times with the curling iron. It usually happens when I think I can handle reading a book while doing my hair is a good idea. It’s not.

Weekends are always so nice, I think most of them are at least 8s. :)

So glad to hear you are happy :) You so deserve it. Thanks for sharing with us :)
How did me and Don meet? You have to promise you wont think less of me ;) Short version: I met Don when I was dating his best friend that he lived across the street from his entire life. Little did I know, his bff was actually cheating on me with SEVERAL other girls. Don felt so bad about it that he broke the “bro code” and confessed to me what his bff had been up to. I promptly left his friendfor him and we have been together for 4 years now, married for 2. I felt a tiny bit bad at first because it almost ruined their lifelong friendship but a girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do right?!? They were onlt mad at each other for a few months anyway and he ended up beinf one of only two witnesses at our “wedding”.
It just goes to show you everything happens for a reason!!! Even the bad things. Everyone serves a purpose in our life, even if we dont know what, God does. He has a plan, we just have to trust Him!!!

Good luck with the dating! I think dating should be fun more then anything else, people always talk about it being awful, but if you’re not hoping to be awestruck on a date and just hoping to have fun then I think it goes a lot better :)

Glad dating is going so well! My husband and I met through mutual friends when we were 18, and then we were friends for awhile before starting to date. We were basically the most awkward friends-who-have-a-mutual-crush ever.

I burnt my fingers badly last year by grabbing a curling iron by the wrong end… genius, right? They were gross and blistered for weeks.

Janae,
1. why oh why do burns with a curling iron hurt soooo much worse than any other type of burn OUCH!

2. we all “recover” at our own pace. Good for you for not letting others decide that for you.

3. Have you ever considered sharing your story about your divorce as an effort to help others? I have no idea what happened and I totally respect your privacy so if you decide to keep it private then who could blame you. However, you encourage so many women with your posts and this may be another outlet. Just a thought! Keep the posts coming!!! Love seeing the yummies! ;)

That is awesome. Been with my husband since I was 18 I’m 38 now we met when he called me. Nothing exciting. But had a 10 weekend! I pr’d in my half and almost did the ugly cry when I saw my family wave to me on the course I was so emotional knowing I would make my time. Fueled with Swedish fish and had negative splits!
Good for u for dating! I’d do the same thing!!

Yay for dating again! Any guy will be lucky to get to spend time with you!

I met my fiance at a corporate challenge track meet. He came to cheer on his friend who happened to be on my relay.

My weekend was an 8…would have been a 10, but I didn’t feel good yesterday. Cookout and Cards Against Humanity with friends on Friday, Farmer’s Market and Zip Lining and a delicious dinner out on Saturday.

I met my hubby at the mall when I was 14, we found out we attended the same high school and talked randomly but met up again when I was 16 and he was 18 and the rest is history :)
Just wait until you accidentally burn Brooke. I felt like the worst mom on the planet :( And my daughter still reminds me of it to this day.
My weekend was definitely a 10! I ran a 1/2 in SLO and it was gorgeous and I hit my goal time even with the crazy hills!

Glad to hear you are happy! What an incredibly sweet note from your friend – made me cry! Keep on doing what you’re doing and enjoying life, girl. You deserve it!

My weekend was awesome, probably an 8. I’ve only ever been on one truly terrible date where the guy tried to feed me pizza… it was interesting to say the least and and also, ew.

I actually met my hubby at a family party. So random (and no we are not cousins. Although the story is quite amusing.) our stars were aligned that day bc our paths had crossed several times but we never noticed each other. If you don’t put yourself out there you will never know. So many people meet significant others on days they’d rather stay in bed!

And that salad looks delicious. Cheese is good any time of the day…especially for breakfast!!!

I started dating 2 months after ending it with my live- in boyfriend of 7 years. It was actually with someone who was in my group of friends, and I was nervous about people finding out bc they might look at me (or him) badly. However, I knew the people close to me would understand, and just felt that I shouldn’t hold myself back due to social convention, bc I knew I was ready. When our friends found out (we weren’t very smooth, ha ha!) I was shocked by how supportive everyone was, how happy for us, and how “much it made sense to everyone”. Long story short, I suppose we should give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to being understanding, people can be way more awesome than we expect them to be! And we should follow our gut and go by how we feel, as opposed to doing what we think we should do. I could have missed out on something really special if I’d looked to some pre-conceived notion of “the right time” instead of listening to myself!

Your blog has become as integral to my day as coffee (usually those go together!) and I know your other readers feel the same when I say how wonderful and amazing you are, and how excited I am for you to find seine equally so!! Go gurl!

I have many truly cringey dating stories. One classic is when I was dating this guy but we hadn’t a lot in common and my mom asked me via text how it was going. I wrote back to her and told her that I was seeing him that Friday to tell him I think we shouldn’t date any more, of course I sent the guy the message instead of my mom. I am still horrified by this 10 years on. The guy was quite understanding really.

I met my other half through friends, at a music festival, also 10 years ago, but we have been dating for 5 years now. I never thought I could be as happy as he makes me. He’s pretty cool.

Yes I have burnt myself with a straightner! Bad times!

My weekend was a 5, sick for most of it!

So delighted for you that you are dating again and loving it. Your friend’s advice is wonderful, and true.

Aw yeah Janae, this was the post I was waitin’ for :) :) :) :) :) :) (See? I’m trying to tell you how huge I’m smiling at you.) I’m glad you’re dating again.

I’m the opposite of you – in big groups (of people I actually know really well) I do well. But one-on-one I get a little more shy, and definitely stomach aches from being so nervous.

You seriously deserve all the best in the world! Thanks for sharing so much of your life and family with all of us! Your friend is a genius; I LOVE what he said!

So happy for you to be dating you deserve the most happiness!

Ugh…I hate dating so much. Enough to use the word hate. I’ve been on some really horrible dates (and some great/okay ones too). The worst date I’ve had was with a guy I met online. He acted very creepy and only talked about his parents and his many, many, many dogs (I love my parents and I love my pet but this verged on crazy). We only went to supper and I bolted out of there afterwards. He followed behind me to the car and tried to get in the passenger side so I could drive him home because it was raining and he walked to the restaurant. Luckily, I only unlocked my door with the fob and we were in a very public place. That was the first and only time I have ever squealed my tires from taking off too fast! By the time I got home, he had e-mailed me telling me how he thought we were meant for each other. I still shudder when I think of this guy!

I’m still single and I often feel resigned to the fact that I’ll likely be single for life. If someone comes along, they come along. If not, that’s okay too.

I meet my husband in HS. Over 20 years ago!

I teacher Kindergarten and my students have been known to be very well behaved all for ONE Skittle. Of course, as they eat one Skittle I eat a whole handful!

My weekend was a 8. It was a great weekend with family but my Achilles is hurt so I didn’t run otherwise it would have been a 10.

It tore me up when you first revealed your upcoming divorce. I’d been following and enjoying your blogs. You are so open, enthusiastic, beautiful, and a runner besides! I especially liked reading your blogs because in them you seemed happy, and you seemed to me to be a person who deserves happiness! With your divorce, the tone of your blogs changed. Or maybe it was the way I read them knowing you were miserable.

Now I see you are starting to heal, and it gladdens me. Life is never how we want it to be, but we can still be happy! I am thankful for you, for the blogs you write, and I care about you although we will probably never meet.

May you find joy in your life!

I loooooooooooove this post! It’s such a fun one :) Good luck to you.

I am on the other side of this experience – meaning my husband came with the “baggage” you were worried others would think you had. I want to tell you two things:

1) Your guy friend’s advice is spot on
2) Whenever I think about a scenario where my husband never got married before me and had a son, all I can think is that he would not be the same man I fell in love with. And how seeing him with my stepson is probably one of the number one things that made me love him in the first place. I know that your future Mister Right will feel the exact same way <3

I am so happy for you – that you are meeting great new people and that your mom can watch Brooke so you can go out! I will try to keep this short, but here’s how my husband and I met.

After hitting a point in my life where I wanted to give up on dating (I had a knack for going out with the wrong guys…), I saw this handsome new guy a few seats away from me at church. We ended up talking while in line for coffee after the service and it was great. He was such a nice guy who loved the Lord, BUT his army unit was deploying the next week. Sooo…. I was bummed. Finally met a great godly guy and he’s going overseas.

A few weeks went by and though I had assumed I wouldn’t see him again, he showed up for church that Sunday! Some of the guys from his unit deployed, but not all of them. .. . how that worked out so perfectly, only God knows! So we hung out in a group of friends, then started dating, engaged, and married the next Spring.

We’re celebrating our 2 year anniversary this May and we have a wild toddler running around the house. I thank God that He blessed me with my husband and that He didn’t let me give up on dating and marriage!

SO happy for you!! You deserve to smile and have fun and have crazy dating adventures! Enjoy it!!

I never curl my hair because I burn myself every single time I try ;)

I’ve been on plenty of weird dates. I did the online thing awhile back, but too many guys pretend to be what they think you want them to be. It felt so fake to me so I gave up. I would rather meet someone organically. By the way, had a lot of trouble posting my comment to your site today.

So happy that you’re out and about :) my parents split when I was Brooke’s age and my mom still doesn’t have a boyfriend or husband. Just remember that you don’t need ad man to complete your life! My mom and I are perfectly happy with just the two of us :)

haha i used to burn my neck all the time curling my hair. they looked like giant hickies once they scabbed over..imagine being in middle school with burns that looked like hickies…embarrassing!

have fun dating! you may be in a situation you never expected it to be, but enjoy it! life will surprise you, but it seems like you are doing a great job making the best of the situation. I just respect you so much for your honesty about everything. Keep on relying on your great support system

I fell in love with my husband and he is a dad…seeing what a great father he was is one of his sexiest qualities:)

You are incredible:)