There’s an old saying, “I’ll try anything once and twice if I like it”. Well for me, that’s normally true. Many things I have tried and liked and have tried again. But when it comes to relationships, I must admit, that saying is not necessarily a good thing. I am still pretty new to this dating scene, so I’m bound to make some mistakes. I have made the same mistake twice now and never will it happen again.
When I decided to get back into the dating scene, I didn’t set myself up with guidelines to follow. My latest relationship has shown me that I need to set some rules for myself when it comes to dating. From this point on, the guidelines have been set. I’m only going to post one of them on here. The rest are clearly etched into my mind and I will never make the same mistake again when it comes to dating.
For the past few weeks, I had been dating a great girl. The only thing that I couldn’t stand about our short relationship, is that there were some things that she requested of me that I refuse to change about myself. If you know me, then you know that when I started dating my ex-wife, I changed everything about myself for her. This made for a long twelve years. So from the time that we split, I made a vow to myself, never to change who I am for anyone. I guess I am old and set in my ways, but I plan to be myself and I won’t change for anyone.
So from here on out, there are a few things that I need to get out there so that others may see what I refuse to change about myself and the reasons why I feel the way I do.
1. I drink. Most of the time, I do not get intoxicated, but there are times that I decide to tie one on. I gave up drinking for twelve years and I refuse to give it up again.
2. I smoke. Yes I know that this is a horrible habit and I need to quit. But at this point in my life, it is something that I enjoy. Does it make my clothes and breath smell rancid, yes it does. At some point in my life, I do plan on quitting, but it doesn’t appear it will happen anytime soon.
3. I party. This happens on occasion. It’s not something that happens every night, but I will continue to go out and enjoy myself when I feel like it. If someone that I am dating cannot or will not go with me, I will still go on my own.
4. My friends. This was left for the last as it is most important. My friends are my friends. I have had to make new friends on more than one occasion. I refuse to ditch my friends for someone that I’m dating. I have friends that are female, including my best friend. If someone I’m interested in is insecure or feels uncomfortable that my best friend is a beautiful woman, then that’s where it ends. I know that it is a hard thing to grasp that I will take trips with my best friend, and may even sleep in the same bed as my best friend, but she is just that, my best friend.
If you know me, then you know how much I love sports and little league baseball in particular. Coaching little league baseball allows me to be out on the field with the kids and gives me so much more time with Conner. Last year, I considered myself lucky to watch six games while I was home on R&R from Iraq. Next year I doubt that I’ll be able to watch any games because of my next deployment. This year I decided that if there was anyway for me to get a head coach position, I wanted it. I was granted that opportunity and I love every second of coaching the Blue Springs 9-10 year old Cubs. I have a great group of kids and they are very attentive when it comes to instruction on the practice field. The parents have been great as well. This season looks to be very rewarding for me. I am so stoked that baseball season is in full swing!