Friends first

Have you ever met someone and you've felt you've known them all your life? I've had that happen to me several times, but never with any one of the opposite sex. They've always been with other females, but soon the friendship fades. As a single woman, I've been looking (unsuccessfully) for companionship. I haven't been looking too hard because I'm a bit cautious and I'm pretty set in my ways, but sometimes I get lonely. I think that is why I completed a profile on Yahoo personals. The first time I did this, I met some pretty interesting characters and I began to question my desperation as I read profiles that included such phrases as "I'm looking for a nice clean woman." Nevertheless, I met a pretty interesting guy who teaches at Ole Miss and is from the same area of the country as I am and knew exactly where my hometown is. We talked off and on for several months and I think I scared him off when I told was competing in The Biggest Loser at NWCC. His last words were, "Do you need to lose that much weight?" I tried to reassure him that I am not obese, but I never heard from him again. And he was the most interesting guy who'd looked at my profile. Back to the drawing board.

A few weeks later I got a message from a guy in Alabama. He looked sane and left several messages, including a phone number. I waited until after Spring Break and gave him a call and we've been talking ever since. I talk to him about a lot of stuff and he just listens, never judges and I can be myself. Sometimes I ask him if I am too country for him and he quickly reminds me that he is a country boy. He seems to understand my frustrations of being a single mom and dealing with a selfish ex-husband. He is the father of four children and I think my stories and tales have changed his relationship with his children.

There are several things I like about this guy: 1) He is a hard worker. He currently has one full-time job and two part-time jobs. I guess after having a father who has always worked hard and instilled the same work ethic in me and my sister, I think all men should be providers. 2) He is a dedicated father. There have been times I haven't heard from him because he was busy with his children. I've reminded him several times that my kids come first. 3) He encourages me to be true to myself. I've dated (and even married) men who wanted me to be someone I couldn't. I'm just a Southern girl who is comfortable living a simple life. I'm not impressed by possessions, I love true people and try to be real in all that I do. 4) He seeks me. I hardly ever call him, he is always looking for me. I refuse to chase another man. Afterall, Proverbs states, "A man who finds a wife, finds a good thing." 5) He is honest and I know how he feels about things. He never agrees with me just to get along and he understands that people can agree to disagree.

So, I don't know where this is headed, but I'm having a great time just getting to know him better. When I first met him, he told me he is looking for a wife. I'm not looking for a husband at this point in my life, but who knows what will happen...